Lille have continued their resurgence in Ligue 1 by securing their third win on the bounce with a 3-0 victory over Lorient this evening.
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Frederic Antonetti's men put the pressure on the visitors in the early stages of the contest, but could not find the quality to produce a clear-cut opening at goal.
Djibril Sidibe came close to putting Lille ahead as he collected a pass from Eric Bautheac on the edge of the box and fired at goal, only to see his strike creep just past the post.
Lorient had a decent opening on the counter when Valentin Lavigne was played into space down the left and he cut inside onto his right foot, but Vincent Enyeama was able to make the stop.
The home side took the lead in the 26th minute as Florent Balmont raided down the flank and lifted a pinpoint cross into the box for Bautheac to attack and head into the top corner.
Bautheac could have doubled his team's advantage when Sidibe's low ball into the box fell into his path, but he could only guide his effort over the bar.
In the second half, Bautheauc did notch Lille's second goal when he reacted to the ball in the six-yard box, to smash the ball into the net after Yassine Benzia saw his strike parried by Benjamin Lecomte.
Lorient pressed to get back into the match late in the game, but Benjamin Moukandjo saw his low strike well saved by Enyeama.
However, the home side clinched the three points four minutes from time when Sidibe collected a pass from Sofiane Boufal and then buried his effort into the bottom corner.
Lille move up into 11th place as a result of their victory, while Lorient remain in eighth.
Simon Sinclair
