Roux at the double

Two goals in three minutes by Nolan Roux guided Lille to a 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Sochaux.

Two goals in three minutes by Nolan Roux guided Lille to a 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Sochaux as they moved to within three points of the top of Ligue 1. Roux opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he slotted home from close range before he headed home Marvin Martin's corner three minutes later as Rene Girard's side moved up to sixth with the 2-0 win. However, it served to prolong Sochaux's agony as they seek their first win of the season with just two points on the board so far. Despite their woeful form the hosts started the match in the ascendancy and Lille were grateful to goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama after just three minutes when he made an excellent reflex save to keep out Emmanuel Mayuka's left-footed shot. Mayuka then turned provider, releasing Cedric Bakambu 20 yards out with the striker turning and unleashing a fierce shot which Enyeama thwarted. However, Lille then went ahead from their first meaningful attack with a well-crafted goal. Florent Balmont relased Salomon Kalou who moved into the penalty area before providing an inch-perfect pass for Roux who just had to slot home a close-range shot. Lille were now dangerous and they almost doubled their lead a minute later, Martin curling a shot from outside the area which was destined for the goal only for Simon Pouplin to deny him. However, that was merely delaying the inevitable and the visitors got a second, Martin's corner finding Roux whose header down into the net beat the motionless Pouplin. Pouplin then blocked Martin's shot from the edge of the area but Sochaux supplied a reminder that they still possessed a threat when Julien Faussurier's right-footed shot went inches wide of the top corner. With both sides on the attack, the home keeper had to be alert again when he denied Roux his hat-trick after he was played through by Martin. It was Enyeama's turn to be tested when he made a reflex save from Contout's overhead kick from 20 yards out. However, Sochaux could not find a way through and Lille almost got a third late on when Pouplin had to be smart to repel Kalou's right-footed shot.