Alternating between victory and defeat had become somewhat of a habit for Lille coming into this game, but the visitors knocked the ball around with great confidence as they went in search of consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since last March. Strasbourg were not going to roll over, though, and Julien Stéphan’s outfit made their presence known despite amassing just one-third of possession as the half-hour mark approached.
Home keeper Matz Seis thwarted Rémy Cabella’s shot that was directed towards the right corner in what was the first real chance of the match, before Paulo Fonseca’s men moved up a level in their attempts to draw first blood. A penalty decision went the visitors’ way five minutes before HT, when Maxime Le Marchand carelessly slid to take Ismaily out of the equation, leaving referee Jeremie Pignard with no option but to point to the spot. Striker Jonathan David banged the ensuing spot-kick into the middle of the goal to give his side the advantage at HT.
Les Bleu et Blanc started the second half in the ascendancy, perhaps inspired by Stéphan’s team talk at the break, and they threatened first with a Habib Diallo header that flew over the crossbar. Despite Strasbourg’s intent, though, Lille struck a killer blow with 14 minutes remaining, when David tapped in with Timothy Weah’s ball into the box.
If there were any lingering hope of a comeback, Cabella extinguished soon after, dispatching a first-time effort from the edge of the box past a helpless Seis. Since their return to the top flight, the Alsace natives have won just one of their 11 games against LOSC. Lille, on the other hand, have now won two successive matches following their Derby du Nord victory over RC Lens last matchday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jonathan David (Lille OSC)