Marseille go into winter break as Ligue 1 leaders

Paris, Dec 22 (IANS) Thanks to a second-half goal from Michy Batshuayi in his first start for Marseille, the French Ligue 1 leaders beat Lille 2-1 to end the year on top.

Batshuayi, who made Marcelo Bielsa's starting lineup after Dimitri Payet was dropped for an alleged lack of effort in training, scored the winner in the 69th minute Sunday when the Belgian striker right footed to beat the visitors' goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, reports Xinhua.

Marseille opened scoring in the 32nd minute with an own goal from Lille striker Nolan Roux before Idrissa Gueye levelled the scores with a shot from the edge of the box.

With the victory, Argentine coach Bielsa's side wrapped up the first half of 2014-2015 season on top, two points clear of Lyon, who leapfrog Paris Saint-Germain to the second with a 5-0 triumph over 10-man Bordeaux late Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette continued his incredible form to score twice for Lyon, making it 17 goals in 19 games.

PSG, who drew 0-0 against Montpellier Saturday, dropped points at home and have to settle for the third spot, three points off the pace, as the first division league resumes Jan 9 after the winter break.