Player Ratings: Olympique de Marseille 2-0 Lille

The France international would have expected to have been far busier against such a dangerous offensive side, but aside from stopping a shot from Jelen early in the second half and showing good anticipation to thwart Hazard shortly after the opening goal, he had no serious work.

Showed his speed over the ground on a couple of occasions to prevent Hazard making key breaks in behind the Marseille defence. Would have expected to have been stretched a good deal more, but read the game impressively and snuffed out a handful of dangerous attacks.

The young Cameroon defender has been a revelation for OM this season and would have expected to have received a real examination against Lille, but this never really materialised. Surprisingly comfortable throughout.

Not always the easiest night for the left-back, who was caught napping defensively from time-to-time by Cole, but who recovered regularly and got forward relatively well.

Struggled to cope with the pace of Hazard, tripping the Belgian right on the edge of the box with 10 minutes gone and was lucky not to concede a free kick, let alone a booking, but used his experience wisely and overall had a pretty solid game. Displayed some good passing, too.

Looked to dictate much of Marseille’s play from deep, and passed the ball superbly at times. Was given an early chance to strike first, but his effort rose high over the bar following Amalfitano’s cut-back. A thumping drive later on was followed up by a close-range shot that slid wide, but much of his best work was done in the deeper areas before being replaced, presumably due to injury.

Still isn’t his old self, as was made clear after only five minutes, when a heavy touch in the box meant that a half chance was easily snuffed out by the hosts. Did otherwise have a quietly effective game, shuttling the play on fluidly and intelligently with little fuss.

The athletic defender was caught out positionally on a couple of occasions, but his speed was sufficient to sweep up any problems that resulted from his lapses. Won his duel with Jelen.

Not the quickest player by any means, but that did not prevent the former Lorient star from being effective on the right hand side of midfield. Showed some nice trickery and fine technical skills to create several chances for his team-mates.

Has been in hot form for OM and showed his passing ability with a wonderful delivery to Remy midway through the first half that might have ended in a goal. After being denied with two efforts of his own, his wonderful dinked cross was converted by the centre forward.

Under scrutiny tonight from several bigger sides, and most publicly Tottenham, he was OM’s most clear threat in the first half, denied when through on goal by Landreau and then thwarted by a fortunate block on the line from Chedjou. Grabbed his first goal in the second period with a well-taken header and then showed fine composure to notch his second.

Denied Remy with his legs midway through the first half, though the striker’s effort wasn’t especially clinical, and then produced an even better block from Cheyrou before the break. Had little chance with Remy’s header but will have been disappointed about his rush of blood with the striker’s second.

Only Lille’s third pick at left-back, and at times he looked it. At times he was easily bypassed by Morgan Amalfitano, and when OM attacked down the flanks, it tended to be down his channel. Pushed forward enthusiastically, but to little effect.

Drafted into the team because of an injury to Marko Basa, the former Lyon man had a difficult evening policing the dangerous Remy. Couldn’t match the forward for pace, and he also struggled to be his equal in the air.

The former Marseille player was released after helping OM to claim the league title only 18 months ago, and he largely had a steady performance, though his lack of pace was exposed as a problem on more than one occasion.

The only one of Lille’s regular back four available to Rudi Garcia, he was in the right place at the right time to clear a Remy volley from the line in the first period. Should have led his back four with more authority, and though he made a couple of forceful runs forward, this was far from his best showing.

Tends to be Lille’s metronome in the centre of the field, but on this occasion he was not evident enough. Started the first half very well, while a couple of superb bursts after the break stretched the home defence, but his efforts were a little below his usual high standard.

Scored the opening goal in this fixture last season with a terrific shot from range, and he had the chances to snatch a goal in this encounter. A little wasteful in the first half, the Belgian had the openings to level game once OM had taken the lead, instigating these moves brilliantly himself. Mandanda twice denied him, though.

Tried to dictate the pace of the match for Lille, generally going short and keeping smart possession but also able to play more expansive passes to the quick forward players. Was not effective enough in his efforts and replaced with around 20 minutes to go.

Showed all his experience and class as the midfield anchor in Lille’s side, popping up just when his side required it most. His most impressive moment came when he squeezed out the on-rushing Remy, when the France striker appeared to be getting set to open the scoring.

Has started 2012 with a bang, scoring four goals in each of his opening first two matches, but the Englishman was not at his peak in Provence. He certainly had some nice moments, but at crucial times his decision making let him down.

Deployed in attack as the speedy central presence to get behind the OM defence, he posed troubles to the home defence with his pace, but often the best the Pole could muster was a free kick. When given a sight of goal, he shot straight at Mandanda.