(Ligue 1 2022/2023): Highlights LOSC - LORIENT

Two European hopefuls clashed at the Stade Pierre Maurois as Lille hosted Lorient. Lorsque, with a huge boost given Rennes' defeat at home to Lens, that meant Les Dogues' victory would see them into fifth. Lorient were hit by the news that star academy graduate Enzo Lefebvre wouldn't be extending his contract, telling the press he had been waiting for an offer all season and had lost patience. Despite Regis Lebris' side starting the day five points adrift of Lille with just ten matches to go, Les Merleux winless in five on the road, worryingly given Lille were unbeaten on their own patch since August in all competitions. Well none of the last sixteen Ligue 1-8 matches between the sides had finished level, so little prospect of a goalless encounter, and that was rubber-stamped by Remy Cabela. Six goals now against Lorient in the top flight, more than any other opponent. Angel Gomez picking out the winger, cutting back inside to find the bottom corner. Lille on course for a twelfth home game unbeaten, their longest run since a single season 2010-11. Remy Cabela the difference at the break, although unlikely apologising to Lorient captain Laurent Abagel for doing so. Lebris certainly looking for a second half reaction. It took time, but he finally got it just three minutes after introducing Ibrahim Kone. Persistence paying off for the Mali international, levelling with 13 minutes remaining. Well incredibly since his arrival in Ligue 1 Uber Eats 14 months ago, the Mali international now has six goals after coming on the pitch in the top flight, more than any other player over that period. Tried to pass it, somehow managed to stab it home. Taylor Lebris' ball through, but Lille's defence punctured far too easily. However Losk should have hit back soon after, and a clear miss of the round. Jonathan Bamba, even watching the reaction of Gabriel Gudmundsson, he was almost half celebrating after the cutback, and then falling to his knees as Bamba somehow scooped it over. Yet any let off was soon forgotten by the visitors, Abagel sent off for a second booking by the time another substitute made a goal scoring entrance. Edon Zagrova with a stunning pick out to the far post, seven minutes after entering the fray, and just a minute before the 90 clocked up. A stunning goal, and Lille back in front, Vito Manoni left stranded, but not satisfied with the game winner, two goals in two minutes and 12 seconds. That the fastest brace for a Lille player in the league since Nolan Roux against Santetti and 11 years ago, Bosnia and also the first Lille player to score a brace as a sub since Viktor Ossermann against, you guessed, Le Verre in August 2019. Well that's now nine goals after the 85th minute of matches in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this season, and helping confirm back-to-back wins for Lille to take them above Rennes into fifth, if still eight points away from a battle for the Champions League places.