[monks data]

Ligue 1

Dec 2, 2015 at 8pm UK

Lille
1-0
St Etienne Saint-Etienne

Benzia (61')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Match Report

Football

Yassine Benzia goal keeps Lille above relegation zone with Saint-Etienne win

By Stephen Topping, Reporter | 02 December 2015

A second-half strike from Yassine Benzia gives Lille a 1-0 victory over Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, to keep the 2011 champions above the relegation zone.

A second-half strike from Yassine Benzia has given Lille a 1-0 victory over Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 this evening.

The hosts made a positive start to the match, as Djibril Sidibe tested Saint-Etienne keeper Stephane Ruffier with a header before the French shot-stopper kept out an Eric Bautheac effort moments later.

Les Verts improved as the half went on - Valentin Eysseric pounced onto a loose ball only to fire over the bar, while the midfielder struck the crossbar with a free kick on the stroke of half time.

After the break the hosts regained control of proceedings, with Saint-Etienne requiring a strong Ruffier punch to deny Benzia from a well-struck free kick.

Lille broke the deadlock on 61 minutes, when Benzia latched on to a long pass from Rio Mavuba before hitting a powerful strike beyond the reach of Ruffier.

The former Lyon striker came close to a second goal moments later, as Sebastien Corchia picked out the 21-year-old from the right only for Ruffier to deny Benzia's close-range effort.

The visitors were unable to trouble their opponents for the remainder of the match, as Lille secured three crucial points to stay above Toulouse in the relegation zone.