Marseille recorded their third victory in succession on Sunday with a 2-0 win at home to Ligue 1 champions Lille.
The first half was goalless at the Stade Velodrome, before Loic Remy opened the scoring for hosts Marseille early in the second period.
The striker found the net a second time late on to make sure of all three points for the home side, with the victory lifting Marseille within two points of the Champions League qualification places.
After a forceful showing from the visitors in the early stages, Marseille started to dominate, putting their opponents under sustained pressure as the first half drew to a close.
Up against a Lille defence decimated by selection problems, Morgan Amalfitano was the first to make headway for Didier Deschamps’ side.
Twice the midfielder cut dangerous balls back to Lucho Gonzalez, though on both occasions the Argentine’s touch let him down.
Key man Remy also worried the champions, with his best opportunities supplied by Mathieu Valbuena.
A deft lofted pass from winger Valbuena released Remy, but his finish was blocked by Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau.
The striker was also unlucky when an instinctive volley was blocked on the line by Aurelien Chedjou.
Arguably Marseille’s best opportunity fell to holding midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, who stung the palms of Landreau with a fierce shot just before the break.
Cheyrou then proved unable to squeeze the follow up into the goal after Mathieu Valbuena recycled possession.
Lille rarely threatened in the first half, but seconds after the break Ireneusz Jelen nearly found the back of the net, sending a good opportunity straight into the arms of Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.
The home side responded with a succession of Valbuena efforts that were scooped up by Landreau, before Remy opened the scoring with a well-placed header.
Valbuena wriggled into space to clip in a cross on 62 minutes, and Remy got there first to beat Landreau with a precise effort.
Almost immediately after the first goal, play opened up.
A solo run from Hazard took him by Stephane Mbia, but the Belgian’s finish was too weak to seriously trouble Mandanda.
Marseille were a major threat on the break as Lille pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser.
With less than 10 minutes remaining a slack pass from Idrissa Gueye was leapt upon by Remy.
Landreau had rushed from his goal to try and snuff out the danger, and he was easily rounded by the striker, who rolled the ball into the net from 20 yards out to finish the match as a contest.
Defeat leaves Lille third, now seven points back from league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Marseille are just two points back from Rudi Garcia’s team in sixth place.
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