Ten-man Lille ease to victory

Ten-man Lille continued their upturn in form as they comfortably saw off Ajaccio 3-1 away from home.

Lille continued their upturn in form as they comfortably saw off Ajaccio away from home despite playing for the final half-hour with 10 men. Yohann Poulard's own goal, six minutes before half-time, put them ahead and although Lucas Digne saw red in the 61st minute, a double from Dmitri Payet wrapped it up before Chakhir Belghazouani's late consolation for the hosts. It was a third straight win for Lille as they bid to remain in the discussion for a European place at the season's end. Lille began brightly, and Guillermo Ochoa needed two attempts to control Payet's early shot from Salomon Kalou's cross. Ajaccio threatened in the 14th minute when Steve Elana made a tough save to keep out Belghazouani's driven shot, but that was against the run of play as Lille stayed on top. Ochoa made an excellent stop to deny Kalou from close range, but moments later Lille led when Digne's cross was diverted into his own goal by Poulard. Ochoa denied Ronnie Rodelin early in the second half but then Lille had something of a let-off as Mehdi Mostefa's curling shot came back off the upright. Moments later, Digne was given his marching orders for a poor challenge on Mathieu Chalme, but it did little to slow Lille as they added a second soon after, Payet heading in from Marvin Martin's cross in the 67th minute. Payet added another seven minutes later, with Franck Beria this time the provider for a low shot. Belghazouani got one back in the 77th minute when he turned in Dennis Oliech's cross, but Lille had done enough for victory.