Despite having already lost nine Ligue 1 games so far this year, their highest tally since 2018, Lille started strongly in their quest to avoid adding another defeat to that tally. Jonathan David was one of few Lille bright sparks, and the Canadian drove into the box and rifled an effort into the top corner to fire the hosts ahead. Toulouse have found it tough going on their return to the French top-flight, but they did show signs that they weren’t just here to make up the numbers and came close to drawing level when Mikkel Desler’s strike was smartly stopped by Lucas Chevalier.
Lille should undoubtedly have taken a two goal lead into the break, but as Angel Gomes weaved through the Toulouse ranks leaving defenders in his wake, the youngster didn’t have the finish to match, tamely firing at Maxime Dupé. Lille were made to pay for their missed chances within minutes of the restart, with Thijs Dallinga remaining calm in a goalmouth melee to prod the ball sideways for Farès Chaïbi to fire home a perhaps undeserved equaliser. Toulouse’s joy was short lived however, as they were undone by a moment of Lille magic. Benjamin André’s sumptuous lofted ball was watched all the way by Ounas who crashed home a volley to re-establish Lille’s advantage.
For a side who were trailing, Toulouse offered precious little by way of trying to find an equaliser, making it rather easy for Lille to sit comfortably on their advantage. With Paulo Fonseca admitting in the build up to the game that he was growing frustrated with the results his side had secured this season, no one would have wanted to see this victory over the line more than him. And he was about to get his just rewards, as Lille hung on to claim a huge three points in their bid to get anywhere remotely close to their 2020/21 title triumph.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Benjamin André (LOSC Lille)