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.
