Defending champion Lille snapped a two-game shedding streak with a scrappy 1-0 win at Montpellier within the French league on Saturday to maneuver again into the race for the European spots.
Lille struggled all through in opposition to a spirited house aspect led by playmaker Teji Savanier, one of many league’s finest gamers. Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim stored his staff afloat with 4 decisive saves within the first half.
Jardim changed regular starter Ivo Grbic following his disastrous show within the 5-1 loss to PSG final weekend. He didn’t disappoint and was decisive once more close to the hour-mark to disclaim a Savanier effort.
Lille took the lead in opposition to the run of the play with 14 minutes left when Portuguese midfielder Xeka snatched the winner from the rebound after a thwarted effort from teammate Benjamin Andre.
There was an amusing second within the match when Jonathan Bamba and Xeka did rock, paper, scissors to find out who would take a free kick. Bamba received and his free kick from about 25 meters went instantly towards Montpellier goalkeeper Jonas Omlin.
Lille leapfrogged Montpellier to seventh place within the standings, three factors behind fourth-placed Strasbourg.
LYON STOP NICE
Back from the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi helped Lyon beat third-placed Nice 2-0.
Toko Ekambi’s second-half objective sealed Nice’s second consecutive league loss. Moussa Dembele gave Lyon the lead from the penalty spot within the seventh minute along with his fortieth profession league objective.
New Lyon gamers Tanguy Ndombele and Romain Faivre got begins and didn’t disappoint as they mixed properly to create Ekambi’s objective.
Following an inconsistent first half of the season, Lyon has proven progress in latest weeks and has received 4 of its previous 5 matches to maneuver to sixth place general, 5 factors behind Nice.
