Chelsea fans have shown their appreciation for N’Golo Kante – by clapping him as he drove away from the stadium.
The French star made his long-awaited return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as he started his first Premier League game since August, a 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Kante performed well in his 68 minutes on the field, before being replaced by Conor Gallagher and receiving the acclaim of the home faithful.
The central midfielder received a standing ovation for his performance as he helped shut down Liverpool in west London, helping them secure a 0-0 draw and even setting up several chances with his incisive tackling.
And in a video released on social media, supporters applaud Kante as he drove home after the match.
Chelsea fans fawned over N’Golo Kante (left), 32, after his fine performance against Liverpool
The French central midfielder was hailed by Stamford Bridge after making his long-awaited return from injury in a goalless stalemate against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds on Tuesday evening
Social media video shows supporters giving him a second ovation as he drove away in his Mini
The footage shows the 32-year-old approaching in his trademark humble white Mini.
When fans realise who it is, cheers go up and one excited fan shouts ‘Kante! Kante! Kante, I love you!’
Those present gave the World Cup winner his second standing ovation of the evening.
After the game, pundit Jamie Carragher said: ‘It was almost as if some of the Liverpool players forgot who N’Golo Kante was and how good he is.
‘You don’t try and take him on or better him physically. You just need to stay away from him really. Two or three times Liverpool players tried to take him on.
‘He’s been out for so long that some of the Liverpool players seemed to forget what N’Golo Kante is all about.’
Carragher’s colleague Karen Carney added: ‘I thought he was brilliant. He just offers that stability in midfield and a bit more confidence.
‘I thought Enzo (Fernandez) played well with him, that was quite a nice dynamic. It’s timely for Chelsea because they will need him against Real Madrid (in the Champions League). It was a really, really positive return.’
Source: dailymail.co.uk