Victory still eludes Reims

A first goal in six games was not enough for Reims to claim a much-needed win against Lille as they drew 1-1.

A first goal in six games was not enough for Reims to claim a much-needed win against Lille as they drew 1-1. Hubert Fournier's team had failed to find the target once in their last five games, but took the lead with just six minutes on the clock through Anthony Weber. However, just when they looked on course to claim a first win since October 6, the home side conceded an equaliser to Dimitri Payet. Reims opened the scoring from their first real chance when Lille failed to deal with a corner and Weber took advantage to fire home a left-foot shot. Lille tried to respond quickly and Payet's pass put Ronny Rodelin in space down the left, but his shot was blocked by defender Michael Tacalfred. Two minutes later Payet was involved in the action once more, this time opting to shoot from long distance but seeing goalkeeper Kossi Agassa palm the ball to safety. Reims struggled to carve out many opportunities and when Floyd Ayite did get a shot on target on 35 minutes, Lille goalkeeper Steeve Elana was equal to the task. The visitors pressed for an equaliser after the break and Benoit Pedretti had a shot deflected wide before Salomon Kalou brought a good save from Agassa on 59 minutes. Kalou then turned provider to set up Idrissa Gueye for a long-range shot which Agassa gathered at the second attempt, but the goalkeeper was finally beaten on 71 minutes when another good pass from Kalou set up Payet to turn the ball home.