Following their exit from the UEFA Europa League in midweek, a top-four spot is all Lille have left to play for this season, and this encounter pitted them against fellow contenders Marseille.
Five points behind the Phocéens before kick-off, the visitors had the first real opportunity of the contest when the ball was played out to Thomas Meunier on the edge of the box, and his powerful shot flew narrowly wide of the left post.
The home side were dealt a blow around the quarter-hour mark when Mason Greenwood was taken out by Calvin Verdonk when breaking on the counter before being forced off minutes later, seemingly due to the impact of that challenge.
Nevertheless, Greenwood’s replacement, Ethan Nwaneri, went on to have a huge impact on proceedings later in the half.
Following a lull in proceedings, it soon sparked into life in the 43rd minute when Igor Paixao went on a bursting run down the left flank towards the byline before his cutback was slotted into the bottom corner by the Arsenal loanee.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang almost doubled Marseille’s lead before HT after racing through on goal, but he clattered into Berke Ozer, which resulted in the Lille stopper needing to be replaced due to a head injury.
In response, Lille made the perfect start to the second half by levelling the scoreline four minutes after the restart. Meunier sent a low cross into the box but, after the Marseille defence failed to clear, the Belgian followed the ball up and pounced to drill in his first Ligue 1 goal of the season.
While Les Dogues had the ball in the back of the net again moments later when Matias Fernandez-Pardo broke through on goal and finished with aplomb, his effort was chalked off for offside.
Marseille struggled to create chances following the equaliser and had to wait until the 73rd minute for another opportunity when Amine Gouiri sent a powerful effort wide of the left post from just outside the 18-yard box.
Ultimately, Lille finished the contest the strongest and, after Hakon Haraldsson was denied by Geronimo Rulli from point-blank range, Les Dogues’ pressure told with less than five minutes remaining.
Goalscorer Meunier turned provider, whipping a cross into the box and onto the head of veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who nodded home his 10th effort of the season.
Lille were able to see out the game’s remainder, meaning defeat for Marseille leaves them vulnerable in third place going into the international break. Bruno Geneisio’s men, meanwhile, cut the gap to two points and move up to fifth place as they aim to qualify for European football once more.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Thomas Meunier (Lille)