LOSC pulled into a provisional fifth with a 2-1 win over Stade Brestois 29 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Friday evening.
THE MATCH
Lille welcomed Brest to their Stade Pierre-Mauroy knowing that victory would lift them into the European places - at least until Stade Rennais FC's Breton derby with FC Nantes on Sunday - but they got off to the worst possible start with Tiago Djalo diverting Kenny Lala's cross past his own goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier (8'). Les Dogues soon settled into their stride, though, and they were inches away from an equaliser just inside the half hour when Jonathan David let fly only to see his curling effort hit the crossbar (29'). David has scored a team-high 15 goals this season but he nearly turned provider before the half was out, aiming for Tim Weah rushing on from left-back at the back post, but Achraf Dari and Marco Bizot combined to deny the American (39') and it was 1-0 to the visitors at the break.
Les Dogues find their bite
Neither side made any changes at the break but Brest were forced into one 10 minutes after the restart when Lala pulled up with a knee injury, to be replaced by Noah Fadiga (55'). Five minutes later Lille were back on level terms, with Bafodé Diakité rising highest to meet Edon Zhegrova's corner (60'). His game was over minutes later with an injury of his own, though. Brest parked the bus for the final half hour, hoping to steal a much needed point in the relegation dogfight, but LOSC finally took the lead inside the final 10 minutes with Angel Gomés' delivery finding its way to Alexsandro, who headed home what proved to be the winner (81'). Brest had Mahdi Camara sent off in injury-time (90+6') as tensions spilled over.
THE PLAYER: Jonathan David
This was a rare game without an impact on the scoreline for David, but the Canadian star was a matter of inches away from a goal and an assist in the first half. The striker's 15 goals and four assists this season have come in at a rate of one every 107 minutes he has played - little wonder he is in high demand.
THE STAT: 45
Lille have now scored 45 goals under Paulo Fonseca, which is the best tally of any LOSC coach after 25 games since José Arribas way back in the 1978/79 campaign.
