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Sealed with a Chris
Christian Pulisic admits Chelsea were far from their best last night — but all that mattered was securing a Champions League quarter-final spot.
The American was on target as the Blues won 2-1 at Lille to advance 4-1 on aggregate.
And with games coming thick and fast in Europe, the FA Cup and Premier League, Pulisic was in no doubt about the value of getting the job done at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
The United States international, 23, said: “We’re in the quarter-finals. No matter how we did it, it’s done.
“We’re in the top eight teams and that’s exactly where we want to be. There are so many different competitions, so many games and a lot to play for, so we’re just going to keep pushing from here.”
With Chelsea trailing to a Burak Yilmaz penalty, Pulisic equalised in first-half stoppage time after being played in by Jorginho.
And their safe passage to the quarters was assured when skipper Cesar Azpilicueta netted what proved to be the winner in the 71st minute.
Pulisic, who will hope to keep his place in the starting line-up when the Blues head to Middlesbrough on Saturday, added: “We know Lille are a good team and coming here is never easy.
“In the first half they were strong and there was a good atmosphere in the stadium.
“They put a lot of pressure on us right away. They gave us a lot of trouble and then with the penalty they were back in it [on aggregate].
“We made a few changes and were able to calm the game down a bit with some possession but the goal we scored before half-time was really important because it restored confidence.
“It’s not easy to get a result here and we did that.”
Tuchel smiles through the turmoil
Thomas Tuchel refused to be downbeat after being told Chelsea may not be able to sell tickets for the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Blues remain in limbo while prospective owners put their bids together to buy the club following the sanctions imposed on Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
But just as he has done throughout this turbulent period, Tuchel, 48, took the latest development in his stride.
Upon hearing the news, he smiled and joked: “Thanks for ruining my evening. I was in such a good mood.”
Switching attention back to his side’s performance in France, he added: “We’re in the quarter-finals, it’s a big step and we showed again our resilience and mentality. We overcame difficulties.
“We did what was necessary, dug in and got a deserved win. It’s difficult here so well done to the team.”
Bring it on
Eddie Howe insists Newcastle are ready for whatever relegation-haunted Everton throw at them tonight.
Toon head to Goodison Park having pulled themselves clear of the Premier League drop zone in recent weeks.
And with the Toffees level on points with 18th-placed Watford, Howe knows Frank Lamaprd’s men will be desperate to pick up a much-needed victory.
The Newcastle boss, 44, said: “It’ll be a big occasion, a really good, emotional atmosphere that we need to manage.
“We have done that well recently but it’s going to be a severe test. They have a great set of players and I admire Frank’s work.
“We will need to be at our best.”
Newcastle’s nine-match unbeaten run in the league was ended by Chelsea last Sunday but Howe is adamant that last-gasp 1-0 defeat will not affect his side’s confidence.
He added: “I’ve been really impressed with how we’ve conducted ourselves and how we’ve managed certain elements of all the games we’ve had in recent weeks.”
