Moussa Sow hit a hat-trick as Lille saw off the challenge of Lorient with four second-half goals - of which nine were scored - in what was a keenly contested game, until the home side ran out 6-3 winners, in game which was certainly value-for-money.

The hosts have firmly established themselves as Ligue 1 title contenders in recent weeks and finish the weekend top of the table after Marseille lost 1-0 to Nice. However the new leaders got off to a shaky start and went behind early to a Kevin Gameiro strike.

Sow scored and then forced an own goal from Maxime Baca to turn the game around before Gameiro levelled on the stroke of half-time. Sow restored Lille's lead only for Lynel Kitambala to bring the visitors level again before their revival was finally killed off as Gervinho added a fourth, Sow completed his hat-trick and, after Lorient goalkeeper Fabien Audard had been sent off, Pierre-Alain Frau rounded off the scoring.

"It was a super match. What a beautiful match," said Lille coach Rudi Garcia. "But to play a great match you need two great teams and Lorient played very well as well. It's a pleasure to see your team like that."

What a beautiful match. It's a pleasure to see your team like that.
Rudi Garcia, Lille coach

This game had been scheduled to take place yesterday only to be put back because of snow, and Gameiro wasted little time in putting Lorient ahead. Running from the halfway line he burst past defender Adil Rami and blasted his side into a sixth-minute lead.

Lille were level five minutes later as Sow received a pass from Yohan Cabaye, tricked Alaixys Romao and scored. Senegal striker Sow was at the heart of their second in the 17th minute, his shot deflecting off the head of Baca and into the net.

Sow, causing all sorts of problems, then had a goal chalked off for offside, and Gameiro brought Lorient level just before the break, firing high into the net following a Morgan Amalfitano corner.

Lorient, though, simply could not deal with Sow and he scored his second in the 48th minute by heading home Florent Balmont's cross. The visitors came back again, Gameiro setting up Kitambala to make it 3-3 in the 57th minute, but Gervinho cut their celebrations short.

Just a minute later the Ivory Coast international worked the ball well with Balmont and scored from the edge of the area. And this time there was not be no response as instead Sow completed his treble eight minutes from time, drilling the ball home after being picked out by a pass from Cabaye.

Lorient were reduced to ten men two minutes later as Audard was sent off for handling the ball outside his area, and Lille rubbed salt into the wounds by adding a sixth as late substitute Frau converted a cross from Gervinho.