Hazard leads Lille rout

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In-demand midfielder Eden Hazard has inspired Lille to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Valenciennes in Ligue 1 action on Sunday.

With Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini watching on, Hazard scored a goal and set up two more as the home side easily defeated Valenciennes.

Lille had 62 percent of possession and 16 shots on goal, with their other three goals coming from visiting defender Brou Angoua - who put the ball into his own net - Aurelien Chedjou and Tulio De Melo.

Hazard opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a well-taken one-on-one opportunity against Valenciennes goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau.

In the 57th minute it was 2-0, after Angoua deflected a cross past Penneteau.

The final two goals showcased Hazard's ability at dead-ball situations, with first Chedjou - in the 69th minute - and then De Melo - seven minutes from the final whistle - heading home corners from the Belgian.

The win means the reigning champions are third in the table with 50 points.

Toulouse is three points behind Lille after they beat fellow Europa League hopefuls Rennes 1-0.

The visitors moved up to fourth spot in the French top flight thanks to an own goal from Rennes defender Romain Danze just prior to half-time.

In the other match on Sunday, Sochaux clinched a crucial 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Nice.

Sochaux's Edouard Butin opened the scoring just before the break, after converting a cross from Vincent Nogueira, while Marvin Martin produced a stunning strike in the 68th minute to end Nice's three-match unbeaten streak.

The home side moved off the bottom of the table thanks to the victory, joining Nice on 27 points, just two points behind Caen, who are outside the relegation zone.Auxerre are now bottom of Ligue 1 with 24 points.

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