Davide Ancelotti’s Lille edged past Toulouse 1-0 thanks to new signing Ayase Ueda’s goal, moving provisionally top of Ligue 1.
Lille moved onto seven points, with back-to-back away victories at Angers and now Toulouse underlining their fine early-season form. They had also looked poised for maximum points in their home opener against Paris Saint-Germain last week, only for the visitors to fight back from 2-0 down in stoppage time to snatch a dramatic draw.
Up against a Toulouse outfit now managed by Jens Berthel Askou following the departure of Spaniard Carles Martinez, the visitors returned to winning ways. The hosts remain winless this term, having already lost to Lyon and drawn against Brest.
The decisive breakthrough arrived in the 73rd minute via Romain Perraud down the left flank. Substitute goalkeeper Niflore parried a delivery that ricocheted off Ayase Ueda as the striker charged down a clearance, allowing the Japanese international to nod home the rebound. The new recruit had replaced Olivier Giroud just minutes earlier.
Niflore, the hosts’ backup keeper, was called into action on the hour mark following an injury to first-choice stopper Guillaume Restes.
Davide Ancelotti’s side—who lost star player Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City—provisionally leapfrog Monaco at the summit of Ligue 1, with the principality club boasting the division’s only remaining 100% record ahead of their trip to PSG on Friday.
