Lyonnais 3 : 0 Lille OSC - Lacazette treble downs Lille

Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat-trick as Lyon secured their most impressive result of the season so far with a resounding 3-0 win over third-placed Lille.

Having been dropped from the France national team in midweek, Lacazette answered his critics by firing a first-half brace before rounding off a successful afternoon for himself and his team in the closing stages.

Les Gones began brightly and Nabil Fekir warmed Vincent Enyeama's palms with an effort from 20 yards before a weak effort from Lacazette was easily gathered after Jordan Ferri created the chance.

The hosts' domination helped create a superb opportunity for Henri Bedimo just after the half-hour mark but, after the full-back broke through clean on goal, he saw his effort superbly kept out by Enyeama.

However, the busy Lille keeper was finally beaten six minutes before the break when Fekir released Lacazette and the 23-year-old striker held off the challenge of Franck Beria before slotting beyond Enyeama.

The hosts continued to press as the interval approached and reaped reward for their effort when Yoann Gourcuff picked out Lacazette from a free-kick and he powered a header beyond the visitors' Nigerian keeper to send Lyon in 2-0 up at the break.

Les Gones began the second half seemingly content to protect their lead but an uninspiring Lille midfield failed to break them down and only some alert defending prevented a third for Hubert Fournier's side.

Fekir released Gourcuff down the right but, with Lacazette waiting unmarked 10 yards out, his delivery was cut out by David Rozenhal at the heart of the Lille defence.

Djibril Sidibe had a rare effort saved by Anthony Lopes in the hosts' goal as the latter stages approached before his cross almost caught out the Portugal goalkeeper, who palmed over.

But with just six minutes left to play of normal time, Lacazette wrapped up a happy afternoon when he benefited from some super work by Clinton N'Jie to add his third after rounding Beria and beating Enyeama.