Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier slumped to a shock defeat at Lorient on Sunday, but Paris St Germain could not capitalise.
A Henri Bedimo own goal on 69 minutes saw Lorient take the lead against Montpellier, who then slipped even further behind when substitute Joel Campbell found the net eight minutes later.
Olivier Giroud pulled a goal back for the Ligue 1 pacesetters soon afterwards but the hosts held on for the win. Second-placed Paris St Germain missed the chance to draw level with Montpellier at the top after being held to a 1-1 draw at bottom side Auxerre in the late game. Nene put Carlo Ancelotti's side ahead in the 23rd minute but Auxerre substitute Anthony Le Tallec netted an equaliser with four minutes remaining to snatch a point.
Third-placed Lille breathed fresh life back into their fading title hopes with a 4-1 mauling of AC Ajaccio. Lille's chances of retaining their title looked to have suffered a potentially decisive setback when last weekend's defeat to Brest left them 10 points behind Montpellier, but they reduced the gap to seven after cruising past lowly Ajaccio. A 16th-minute own goal from Yoann Poulard set Lille on their way, Joe Cole then added a second before the break and late strikes from Gianni Bruno and Eden Hazard, from the penalty spot, sealed the win.Ajaccio netted an injury-time goal from Frederic Sammaritano, but it was nothing more than a consolation for a side who saw their five-match unbeaten run came to an end.
St Etienne's hopes of securing European football next season were boosted by a 2-1 home win over relegation-threatened Brest. Although a UEFA Champions League spot may be beyond Christophe Galtier's men, a fourth-placed finish and Europa League football is not and, after this win, looks a distinct possibility. Max Gradel's penalty and Bakary Sako's winner either side of Issam Jemaa's equaliser proved enough, with Les Verts moving into fifth.
0 comments:
Post a Comment