FOOTBALL - FRANCE
Status quo at the top as Nancy hold Lyon
Saturday, December 22, 2007
A late goal from Malonga secured second-placed AS Nancy a 1-1 draw at home to Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyon. OL have 39 points, Nancy are on 35 and Bordeaux, who won 1-0 at Sochaux remain third on 33.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
By Reuters
A late goal from Chris Malonga secured second-placed AS Nancy a 1-1 draw at home to Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyon on Saturday. Lyon, who head into the mid-season break with a four-point cushion, led through a Milan Baros goal on 80 minutes before substitute Malonga struck three minutes from time.
Nancy were the better side but were kept at bay by keeper Remy Vercoutre. Lyon were lucky not to fall behind just before the break when a Marc-Antoine Fortune header hit the post. But the champions were dangerous on the counter attack with France striker Karim Benzema a constant threat. Nancy midfielder Youssouf Hadji had two clear chances on 67 and 75 minutes, only to be denied by Vercoutre.
Baros, who replaced the injured Sidney Govou on the half-hour mark, was perfectly set up by a Hatem Ben Arfa through pass before he slotted the ball past Gennaro Bracigliano. Nancy did not give up and midfielder Malonga volleyed them level from a Benjamin Gavanon corner.
JUSSIE GOAL
Lyon have 39 points from 19 games, Nancy are on 35 and Girondins Bordeaux, who won 1-0 at Sochaux courtesy of a late Jussie goal, remain third on 33.
Goals by Juan Eduardo Eluchans and Cedric Hengbart earned promoted Caen a 2-0 win over Racing Strasbourg which lifted them to fourth on 31 points. Strasbourg had Gregory Paisley sent off with six minutes to go. Mamadou Niang's 10th goal of the season was enough for Olympique Marseille to secure a 1-0 home victory over Le Mans, who dropped to fifth. Marseille moved up three places to 11th.
Bottom side Metz lost for the 14th time this season, beaten 2-0 at Lorient. On Sunday, Paris St Germain will hope to move away from the relegation zone when they travel to St Etienne.
Sunday's game between RC Lens and Lille has been postponed because of a frozen pitch. No new date has yet been set. Lille are 16th in the table and Lens 17th.
Nancy were the better side but were kept at bay by keeper Remy Vercoutre. Lyon were lucky not to fall behind just before the break when a Marc-Antoine Fortune header hit the post. But the champions were dangerous on the counter attack with France striker Karim Benzema a constant threat. Nancy midfielder Youssouf Hadji had two clear chances on 67 and 75 minutes, only to be denied by Vercoutre.
Baros, who replaced the injured Sidney Govou on the half-hour mark, was perfectly set up by a Hatem Ben Arfa through pass before he slotted the ball past Gennaro Bracigliano. Nancy did not give up and midfielder Malonga volleyed them level from a Benjamin Gavanon corner.
JUSSIE GOAL
Lyon have 39 points from 19 games, Nancy are on 35 and Girondins Bordeaux, who won 1-0 at Sochaux courtesy of a late Jussie goal, remain third on 33.
Goals by Juan Eduardo Eluchans and Cedric Hengbart earned promoted Caen a 2-0 win over Racing Strasbourg which lifted them to fourth on 31 points. Strasbourg had Gregory Paisley sent off with six minutes to go. Mamadou Niang's 10th goal of the season was enough for Olympique Marseille to secure a 1-0 home victory over Le Mans, who dropped to fifth. Marseille moved up three places to 11th.
Bottom side Metz lost for the 14th time this season, beaten 2-0 at Lorient. On Sunday, Paris St Germain will hope to move away from the relegation zone when they travel to St Etienne.
Sunday's game between RC Lens and Lille has been postponed because of a frozen pitch. No new date has yet been set. Lille are 16th in the table and Lens 17th.
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