Lorient (AFP)

Lille bounced back after two disappointing matches and regained the lead in the league on Sunday by winning 4-1 in Lorient, thanks in particular to a superb free kick from Jonathan Ikoné, during the 26th day of Ligue 1.

Held in check last week against Brest (0-0), dominated by Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday in the Europa League (2-1), Lille have mastered their subject against Lorient yet in full success in recent weeks.

The championship leaders also offered themselves a 7th straight away win.

For Lorient, beaten 4-0 at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in November, it is a new disappointment just after beating PSG (3-2) and jostling Rennes (1-1) then Monaco (2-2).

Once again tied on points with Nantes, the Merlus are preparing for a new small final on Wednesday in a late match in Nîmes, 19th back to two points.

As expected, Lille quickly took the wheel, with a high block that Lorient's 5-4-1 applied to the defensive phases initially reduced to being content with long strikes.

But at the same time, the Lille counter-pressing with each loss of the ball contained the Merlus in their half of the field, from which only a few long balls came out that were difficult to exploit for Terem Moffi, the Lorient striker in form (8 goals in 9 matches).

And the opening of the score by the Northerners was logical, on a recovery of Mehmet Celik diverted by Andraew Gravillon, who took his goalkeeper Matthieu Dreyer on the wrong foot (0-1, 20th).

- Fonte relaunches the Losc -

Even if the Merlus had never been dangerous before, this goal did not reassure Lille coach Christophe Galtier, who let out a cry of rage to see his men retreat a bit at the throw-in.

Rightly so since Lorient equalized on his first opportunity: Moffi recovered a ball in the axis and served on his left Jérôme Hergault, who deceived Mike Maignan with a strike from the right (1-1, 23rd).

A first professional goal for this discreet side of almost 35, who made his debut at the end of the 2000s in Luzenac under the orders of Christophe Pélissier.

Eternal replacement this season, he had already highlighted in recent weeks in the left lane usually held by Vincent Le Goff, the Lorient player most affected by the wave of Covid in the club in January.

And it is again a defender who was decisive a quarter of an hour later, when Jose Fonte gave the advantage to Lille with a powerful strike from the right at the entrance to the surface, after a clearance from Lorient. hazardous (1-2, 38th).

After the break, Lille fell back again, leaving Lorient to get several chances, with a volley of Enzo Le Fée (47th) or a header from Julien Laporte (53rd).

But on a free kick conceded at the entrance to the surface, Jonathan Ikoné allowed his family to take off: his shot, passed just over a wall that had chosen not to jump, went to lodge in full skylight (1-3, 59th).

Despite their lead, the Lille continued to push, pulled by a Yusuf Yazici, who entered shortly after the hour mark, who provided several opportunities before ideally serving Domagoj Bradaric for the 4th goal (1-4, 90+ 1).

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