Remy brace weakens Lille’s grip on title

PARIS — Lille's French title defence received a significant setback on Sunday as their 17-game unbeaten run came to an end in a 2-0 defeat at resurgent Marseille in which Loic Remy claimed both goals.

Rudi Garcia's side had not been beaten in the league since a 1-0 loss at home to Montpellier on August 14 but Remy's brace gave Marseille a win that lifted the victors up to sixth and left Lille seven points behind leaders Paris Saint-germain.

Having won just once in their first 10 league games, OM have now reeled off five straight victories in all competitions and find themselves only two points

third-placed Lille behind ings.

Lille were aggrieved by an early foul on Eden Hazard by Alou Diarra on the edge of the hosts' box that went unpunished, but that aside, Marseille were much the better team in the first half.

Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau came to Lille's rescue in the 21st minute, saving with his legs after Mathieu Valbuena had released Remy, while only an instinctive block from Aurelien Chedjou prevented Remy breaking the deadlock moments later.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps introduced Brazilian forward Brandao from the bench moments later and he re-

in

the

stand- ceived a rousing reception from the OM fans despite facing rape charges in France over an incident near Aix-en-provence in March last year.

The first goal arrived in the 61st minute and Valbuena was the source, standing up a cross to the back post for Remy to crash home his eighth goal of the season — his sixth with his head and his fifth from a Valbuena assist.

Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp was present at Stade Velodrome to watch Remy and the former Lyon striker enhanced his reputation further in the 83rd minute when he beat Landreau to a loose ball before rolling home his second goal from 20 yards. — AFP