In a thrilling match that saw the best of both teams on display, Jonathan David and Benteke scored to help Lille secure a hard-fought 2-1 win over Nantes in round 17 of the French Ligue 1. The victory puts Lille back into contention for the top spot in the table, with two points separating them from their rivals Paris Saint-Germain.
The game was played at Stade Louis II in Nice, where the home side had been victorious against Monaco earlier in the season. However, Nantes were not to be denied as they fought back bravely after going behind early on through a goal from Benjamin Bourigeaud.
David, who has been in scintillating form this season, responded well to the pressure by scoring twice in the space of eight minutes to give Lille a commanding lead. His first came from the penalty spot after a handball in the box, while his second came from close range following some excellent work from teammate Florian Thauvin.
Bentaleb also contributed to the win with a goal of his own, slotting home from a corner to ensure Lille's comfortable victory. He is currently one of the most prolific scorers in the league, having netted 15 goals so far this season.
Despite the loss, Nantes will take heart from the fact that they gave one of the top sides in France a run for their money. They have now won three of their last four matches and are still in with a chance of finishing in the top half of the table.
Overall, it was another impressive display from Lille, who showed their ability to cope with the pressure and come up trumps when it mattered. As the competition heats up, Lille remain one of the most formidable teams in France and will be looking to continue their good form in the coming weeks.