Yilmaz on fire as Lille edge closer to title with Lens win

PARIS: Lille edged closer to their first Ligue 1 title in 10 years as a Burak Yilmaz double inspired them to a 3-0 win in the derby of the North at 10-man RC Lens on Friday.

Yilmaz struck a penalty and a stunner in the first half with Jonathan David adding another after the break to put Lille on 79 points with two games left, four ahead of champions Paris St Germain who play their game in hand at Stade Rennais on Sunday.

Promoted Lens slipped down to sixth on 56 points, behind Olympique de Marseille, who travel to St Etienne on Sunday, on goal difference.

Lille, last crowned champions in 2011, are looking to become the second club other than PSG to clinch the Ligue 1 title since 2013.

Third-placed Monaco, on 71 points, and fourth-placed Olympique Lyonnais, 70, are now likely to battle it out for no more than a top-three finish for a Champions League spot.

"We knew it would be a tough game because Lens are a very good team but things went our way, especially thanks to that early penalty," coach Christophe Galtier told a news conference.

"I'm convinced that we will need to win our last two games to be champions."

Lille, now unbeaten in their last 13 away games, next host St Etienne before ending their season at Angers.

After their trip to Rennes, PSG will host Stade de Reims and travel to Brest. Agencies

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