Remy double earns points for Marseille

Loic Remy scored twice in the second half to boost Marseille's challenge for a European place and give them a 2-0 victory against reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille. The striker boosted his growing reputation by first heading in Mathieu Valbuena's delivery and then slotting home the second after defender Aurelien Chedjou's error. "It's a huge satisfaction, in terms of the week we've had," said Marseille coach Didier Deschamps. "Don't forget we were playing a Lille team who were unbeaten away from home, even though they were missing some attacking players." Benoit Cheyrou volleyed the first chance of the game over the bar for Marseille, but midfield colleague Alou Diarra was fortunate not to concede a penalty at the other end after a clumsy tackle on Eden Hazard. Hazard then flashed a long-range effort narrowly wide before Remy had his first sight of goal, Mickael Landreau producing a fine reflex save to deny the striker after he was brilliantly played in by Valbuena. Chedjou cleared another Remy effort off the line after Morgan Amalfitano's free-kick was not dealt with, and Lille had another escape shortly before half-time. Cheyrou's shot was parried by Landreau, who then put his next effort wide after he was teed up. Remy bags the goals A frenetic start to the second half saw Hazard play in Ireneusz Jelen, who shot straight at goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, before Landreau kept out Valbuena's half-volley at the other end. Remy broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when Lucho Gonzalez and Valbuena linked up and the latter stood the ball up for Remy to head past Landreau. Mandanda was forced into a diving save after Hazard beat Nicolas N'Koulou and shot powerfully, while Valbuena shot over at the other end. But Marseille got their second goal after Chedjou misjudged a long ball and was unable to atone for his error as Remy held him off and slotted past Landreau.