Off the back of their first consecutive Ligue 1 wins since December 2021 against Brest and AC Ajaccio, there was a feel-good factor at Stade de la Mosson following a positive run of form. Both of those wins had come with clean sheets and Lille, who were unbeaten in four Ligue 1 away matches, almost shattered La Paillade’s solid defensive streak in the opening 10 minutes when Tiago Djaló’s early header rattled the crossbar and Ismaily’s low strike from a tight angle deflected off the post.
Montpellier rode the early storm and Sepe Elye Wahi, who scored three goals in his last two matches, led the host’s response as the striker gave Montpellier the lead when he chased a long pass forward, forcing Jardim to spill the ball and then composedly chipped into an empty net. Les Dogues were always going to threaten having scored in their last three Ligue 1 away matches and Rémy Cabella played in David just before HT, allowing the forward to curl a first-time shot past Matis Carvalho. La Paillade’s chances of restoring their lead were wounded further when Valère Germain was dismissed seconds before the break for a dangerous tackle.
Lille are notorious comeback merchants on the road, taking four points after trailing away in their last three, and Gomes punished 10-man Montpellier early in the second period, finding space on the edge of the area and firing low into the bottom corner past Carvalho. Montpellier struggled to get out of their own half and Lille pushed for a third when Djaló’s late header forced Carvalho into a fingertip save before David tapped in a third from close range to seal the points.
David’s late first-half goal and Germain’s sending off in the final minutes of the first half ultimately ended any chance of a third consecutive win for Montpellier and Olivier Dall'Oglio will be frustrated with his side’s lack of discipline. In contrast, Lille were professional in their comeback victory and Les Dogues remain the travelling kings of Ligue 1, winning four of their last five on the road.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jonathan David (LOSC Lille)