Lille went into tonight's Ligue 1 clash with Reims desperate for three points to keep their late push for European qualifcation alive.
The home side made a strong start and scored before the break as Salomon Kalou made no mistake with a clinical finish from close range.
Dimitri Payet doubled Lille's advantage after the interval, before Kalou got his second late on to seal an impressive home victory.
Look back at a morale-boosting night for Rudi Garcia's side with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good evening European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for live coverage of a crucial clash in Ligue 1 as Lille face Reims, with both sides desperate for three precious points.
Lille's brave late push for Europa League qualification has come off the rails in recent weeks, following an extraordinary late collapse at Sochaux. Rudi Garcia's men led 3-0 in that match a fortnight ago, but conceded three times in the last 11 minutes to drop two points that may end up costing them dearly.
After another late collapse at Toulouse last weekend the equation is simple for Lille this evening, win or bust. Garcia's troops trail Nice in fourth by three points ahead of tonight's clash, but in a congested fight for Europa League football victory would pile the pressure on them, Saint-Etienne and Lyon with just three matches to play.
Reims have been largely comfortable on their return to Ligue 1, staying clear of the drop zone with a consistent, measured approach built on strong home form. Hubert Fournier's newcomers are five points clear of the bottom three and in all likelihood need one more victory to guarantee survival.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: The starting XIs are in from the Stade Metropole and feature an important change in midfield, with Florent Balmont included after serving a suspension. A full look at both sides will follow in just a few moments.
LILLE: Mouko, Beria, Digne, Basa, Chedjou, Mavuba, Balmont, Martin, Kalou, Rodelin, Payet
REIMS: Agassa, Souare, Signorino, Tacalfred, Weber, Ramare, Ca, Devaux, Ayite, Courtet, Diego
The inclusion of Balmont in midfield is Lille's only change from last week's 4-2 defeat at Toulouse, which is a slight surprise after Garcia's scathing criticism of that performance. Idrissa Gueye misses out for the home side, with Rio Mavuba and Marvin Martin keeping their places.
Lille will once again be reliant on former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou in the final third. The Ivorian striker has eight home league goals to his name so far this season, how Garcia could do with that tally turning to double figures in their final two matches at the Metropole.
Talented young forward Ronny Rodelin also keeps his place in an attacking wide position. The 23-year-old causes problems in Ligue 2 with a potent mix of pace and power, with two goals in his last four home matches.
Reims are without Grzegorz Krychowiak and Aissa Mandi tonight through suspension, but Brazilian forward Diego has recovered from a persistent ankle problem to make the starting XI. Mohamed Fofana was also a major injury doubt this evening and fails to make the squad with a thigh strain.
Lille boss Garcia spoke in quite plan terms in his pre-match press conference, nothing but a victory will do for his side tonight or European football is out of the question next season.
He told reporters: "If we want to play in Europe next season we have to win. Nothing else will do! Anything other than a win and we can wave goodbye to Europe.
"We want to finish in the European places and that means finishing at least fourth. For the moment Nice are three points ahead of us in fourth and Saint-Etienne are two points ahead in fifth. That's where we want to be."
PREDICTION! Despite Lille's wobble in recent weeks I full expect Garcia's side to get back on track at home tonight. Reims will stay compact and be tough to break down but I'll go for Rodelin to strike in a 2-0 home victory.
Both sides are out and just about ready to get underway. Can Lille get their campaign back on track this evening or will Reims secure a second season in Ligue 1? We are about to find out.
Reims get the match underway and immediately keep attack down the left wing, with Chedjou forced to cut out a clever flick forward from top scorer Courtet.
Lille win an early free kick, which is whipped into the neat post by Payet via the aid of Balmont flick. Reims defend the cross impressively as Tacalfred times his challenge expertly on Rodelin. Diego tried to lead a quick counter for the visitors but telegraphs his pass into the opposition half.
Reims forward Floyd Ayite advances into the penalty area but wastes a chance to create a dangerous attack with a cheap handball in the final third. At the other Lille advance as Kalou looks for a quick diagonal to Payet, with Balmont winning a corner kick off Diego's block at the far post.
CHANCE! Marvin Martin's corner is met by Rodelin, who glances an effort off his shoulder just past the far post. The referee rules his marker got the final touch and awards another set piece, which Souare clears at the second time of asking.
MISS! Rodelin has just scuffed wide from six yards after superb approach play from Martin and Payet. The forward was unmarked in a central position but was caught horribly off balance and miscued with the goal at his mercy!
Reims stride forward and win a free kick wide of the penalty area as Signorino is brought down by a late challenge from Martin. Diego swaps sides to curl an in-swinging cross towards the far post, which is turned behind by an important late flick from Basa.
Lille are quick to break to counter after clearing a counter, with Kalou isolated as he attacks into the opposition half. The Ivorian holds off two challenges before eventually being brought down by a cynical challenge from Ramare. Another late tackle by Diego on Balmont angers the home crowd, but the referee decides against a caution at this early stage.
SUBSTITUTION: Bocundji Ca is struggling with a muscle injury and is forced off as Reims make an early change. Forward De Preville is quickly introduced, with Diego dropping deeper to cover in midfield.
Chedjou glances wide with a powerful header as Lille come close with another corner kick, with the central defender guilty of lacking composure unmarked from eight yards. At the other end Ayite gets a yard of space and decides to shoot, forcing Digne to block a low strike just outside the penalty area.
Optimistic home penalty appeals are turned away as Beria goes down in the area under a challenge from Souare. The full-back's challenge was well times and helps the visitors clear to safety, but Reims are definitely sitting too deep and inviting pressure early on.
Digne follows Beria's lead to advance from full-back and gets clear to meet a diagonal cross at the far post. Despite having time to execute the defender's volley lacked technique and flies well wide of the far post as Lille's search for a first goal continues.
GOAL! Lille 1-0 Reims (Kalou)
A moment of genuine quality has the home side ahead after a wave of pressure. Kalou was the man to produce, meeting a long pass before rounding Agassa with a fine dummy and tapping home with a cool finish. That is the Ivorian's 12th goal of the season and may prove crucial to Lille's chances of European qualification.
Reims respond positively to that early setback and quickly win successive corner kicks. On each occasion Diego's delivery threatens but Mouko anticipates the danger to claim with authority.
OFF THE BAR! Payet glides into the Reims penalty and shows clever feet to find space under pressure. With little on the winger tries an audacious curling effort that comes back off the underside of the crossbar, with Agassa rooted to the spot. Inches away from a second Lille goal as the home side continue to attack with intent.
Garcia is furious on the touchline as Lille's strong appeals for a penalty are turned down. Beria again broke down the wing and looked to be bundled over by a forceful challenge by Tacalfred, but the referee was well placed and ruled against awarding a spot kick.
Digne just fails to keep his feet in a strong position for the home side after being picked out in the final third by a through ball by Martin. Reims use the the chance to break and win a corner kick, with Tacalfred turning well over the bar with a looping header at the far post.
YELLOW CARD! Veteran midfielder Balmont picks up the the game's first caution for a late lunge on Romare. The Lille man was late in his challenge with studs showing and despite his angry protests can have little complaint at the decision.
Reims decide to drop deep and allow Martin to shoot from 20 yards as he sends a low strike past the far post. The home side quickly attack again as Kalou tries his with another drive from distance that flies just past a diving Agassa.
YELLOW CARD! Balmont is quickly complaining again as Diego appears to catch him with a stray elbow, but play continues with intervention from the referee. Soon after Souare is booked after lunging into the back of Rodelin in aerial challenge on the halfway line.
Kalou turns wide with a header after picking out by a long diagonal pass from Beria. At the other end Diego shows quick feet before picking out De Préville inside run, but the forward is flagged offside before he has the chance to shoot. Ayite then breaks for the visitors and lashes over under pressure from Chedjou.
SHOT! Rodelin fails to control just outside the penalty are after picked out by a precise pass from Martin just before the break. Payet is next to drive forward with purpose and cuts inside two defenders before forcing Agassa into a smart stop with a low drive towards the bottom corner. Reims are outnumbered in midfield and struggling to contain a trio of creative Lille playmakers.
YELLOW CARD! Just before the break Reims appeal for a penalty as Diego goes down in the area under pressure from Beria. The Brazilian wants a spot kick but is ruled to have dived by the referee and picks up a booking for his troubles. Visiting manager Fournier is livid and forces the referee to stop play and speak to him about his conduct.
HALF-TIME Lille 1-0 Reims
Lille manager Garcia said this match was make-or-break and so far his side are delivering a crucial victory. Kalou's composed finish has given the hosts a deserved advantage at the interval as they seek to gatecrash the race for Europe.
In truth the home side should be further ahead after creating a series of strong chances to score in the first period. Rodelin somehow turned wide from close range early on, with Payet desperately unlucky before the interval as his strike bounced back off the crossbar.
Reims have struggled to keep possession and create chances after a difficult start to the match. Losing combative midfielder Bocundji Ca was a blow after 15 minutes, with the visitors overrun in wide areas for most of the first period.
A reminder that victory for Lille this evening will put Garcia's side fourth in Ligue 1, for 24 hours at least. With Lyon at home to Paris Saint-Germain this evening the home side will put serious pressure on their rivals for European qualification if they can maintain their advantage tonight.
The two sides are back out in Lille and just about ready for the second half. Reims need to force the issue when play resumes if the visitors are to equalise and earn a positive result that will almost certainly ensure survival.
Lille resume but quickly concede a free kick as Mavube commits a foul on the halfway line. Reims win another set piece further forward almost instantly as Diego is bundled to the ground by Beria, but the visitors send a long ball forward to Courtet in an offside position.
CHANCE! A lovely exchange in a wide area between Ayite and Diego has Reims on the attack, but the Brazilian's powerful flash across goal takes a touch off Mouko and deflects wide as no visiting player reacts at the far post. A rare sight of goal for Reims early in the second half and an encouraging sign for the match.
GOAL! Lille 2-0 Reims (Payet)
Lille react quickly to a nervous moment and extend their advantage at the other end. Payet created and scored his side's second goal with a fine solo run that saw the midfielder take on two defenders and beat each with ease. The 26-year-old had time to weigh up his options and drove brilliantly into the top corner with a measured effort that gave Agassa no chance.
Rodelin attempts to follow Payet's lead with a drive from distance that is deflected wide off Weber for a corner kick. The home side try a set move as Balmont volleys wide from outside the box after dropping deep to evade his marker. Payet's superb strike has filled the home side with confidence as they chase a third goal.
SHOT! Balmont and Rodelin combine at the far post as Lille break forward with purpose in the final third. The young Frenchman breaks free at the far post before flashing wide of Agassa's near post with a low drive that just lacked composure and placement.
Kalou shows strength to hold off two defenders with his back to goal and picks out Balmont just outside the penalty area. The midfielder needs no invitation to shoot from range and with his head down fires a scuffed strike well wide of the near post.
CHANCE! Not for the first time tonight Beria bombs on from full-back and sends a lofted cross into the six-yard box. Kalou times his run into the danger zone well but is caught off balance and glances looping header just over from close range. Lille are in control of a match that has been one-way traffic since the break.
Payet is brought down twice in quick succession as the playmaker shows his full range of skills in a confident display. He decides to take a free kick he won from 25 yards but puts too much curl on his high effort that flies over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Beria becomes the second player cautioned for simulation after going down inside the penalty area under a slight challenge from Reims goalkeeper Agassa.
SUBSTITUTION: Reims boss Fournier decides drastic action is required as early replacement de Preville is swapped for Algerian youth international Bilal Ouali.
The visitors enjoy a sustained spell of possession in the final third with a patient, measured build-up. Eventually Ramare makes a forward run beyond his marker and receives a pass just inside the penalty area, but under pressure from two defenders his instinctive volley flashes well wide of the far post.
Martin, Balmont and Beria exchange passes in a neat exchange out wide to win a corner kick for the home side. Before that corner can be taken Rodelin is withdrawn after a strong performance, with 18-year-old Belgian youth international Origi.
Chedjou just fails to make contact with the corner kick but Lille are quick to recycle possession from the clearance as Balmont finds Kalou with a quick through ball. Reims still have plenty of cover back from the set piece and clear, but Courtet's mistimed lunge on Beria gifts Lille another chance to advance in numbers.
Ayite leads a rare Reims break with a pacy, forward burst down the right flank. His cross is turned behind for a corner kick, but Diego's curling cross is cleared to touch by Chedjou. A clever dummy and cross from Ouali then finds a late run from Ayite, who lashes over unmarked with a difficult volley just inside the penalty area.
GOAL! Lille 3-0 Reims (Kalou)
Kalou has his second and Lille's third as Reims pay a heavy price for allowing the Ivorian to stride forward. Under little pressure the striker takes full advantage, cutting inside to guide a measured, curling effort just beyond Agassa and into the far corner. That strike secure an important three points for Lille after the visitors had finally threatened moments earlier at the other end.
After conceding three in the last 11 minutes against Sochaux two weeks ago Lille will be wary of complacency, but in truth Reims have carried little threat this evening. The home side decide to keep possession deep as Balmont links up with Origi in central midfield.
YELLOW CARD! Reims midfielder Devaux shows understandable frustration in the closing stages, conceding a free kick for fouling Kalou before kicking the ball away in anger. That show of petulance is enough to earn him just his first booking of the campaign in the closing stages.
Reims search for a late consolation as Souare bombs forward to start a forward move from full-back. His run and cross reaches the penalty area but Mavuba senses the danger and drops deep to collect and clear under little pressure.
SUBSTITUTION: Garcia decides to make a late change as Balmont is brought off to a warm reception from the home supporters. Senegalese international Gueye is on for the final few minutes to provide fresh legs in central midfield.
SUBSTITUTION: Just enough stoppage time for Lille to make their final change and give Kalou a standing ovation after a match-winning brace. Striker Nolan Roux takes his place but will be lucky to get a touch deep into added time.
FULL-TIME Lille 3-0 Reims
In the end a comfortable Lille victory is enough to take Garcia's side above Nice into fourth place and a European place, for at least 24 hours. Salomon Kalou made the difference tonight, with a clinical brace coming either side of Payet's accurate strike from range.
That just about does it for tonight's coverage from Ligue 1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to join us this weekend as PSG look to wrap up their first title since 1994 against Lyon. Goodnight!
