For his first start since August, striker Mohamed Bayo scored twice (16th, 47th), as did Jonathan David (45th + 2, 88th) and Alan Virginius (75th) joined the party.

Mama Baldé saved the honor of the Trojans (65th).

Decimated by absences, Paulo Fonseca had to compose a very different team than usual, with in particular a very young central hinge.

Tiago Djalo (22) and Leny Yoro (17) are indeed the same age between them as José Fonte, usual holder in the axis but left on the bench for his return from injury!

And the situation did not improve for the Mastiffs with the very quick replacement of winger Adam Ounas, hit in the right leg in the 6th minute and who then moved on crutches.

This tenth success of the season allows Losc to move up to sixth place with 34 points and to remain well positioned in the fight for European places.

Troyes fell to 14th place with 18 units on the clock and only had a three-point lead over the first relegation player, Ajaccio.

In recurring lack of efficiency this season, Losc has, once is not custom, converted its first opportunity to open the scoring: served in the axis, Angel Gomes launched David, who intelligently let the ball pass to Bayo, whose powerful strike from the right hit home (1-0, 16th).

Lille then knocked out Estac just before and just after half-time: it was first David who widened the gap by taking back an attempt by Bayo repelled by Mateusz Lis (2-0, 45th + 2), then the Guinean international offered himself a double on the return from the locker room by sending a shot from Timothy Weah badly negotiated by the Champagne goalkeeper (3-0, 47th).

The former Clermontois thus confirmed his rise to power.

The public also paid tribute to him with a rather funny song, "a Ricard for Bayo, hiya hiya ho", in reference to his night out the day before the match against PSG in August which had earned him a sanction and had spoiled his start to the season.

Baldé's goal (65th) did not dampen the ardor of the Northerners, who drove the nail home late in the game thanks to the first goal in L1 from Virginius (75th) and a header from David (88th).

© 2023 AFP