PSG win, but ref loses the plot
Paris Saint-Germain beat Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes 1-0 to extend their advantage to 11 points at the top of the table. PSG were without Neymar, who was having treatment for costal cartilage pain.
It was his replacement Angel Di Maria who scored the solitary goal in the 12th minute, with Edinson Cavani turning provider on this occasion. It was their seventh consecutive win, but it will be remembered for what happened in stoppage time rather than the expansive football.
Referee Tony Chapron accidentally tangled with Nantes’ defender Diego Carlos, as PSG launched a counter attack. The referee then unbelievably kicked out at the player whilst still on the floor and then sent him off once he was back on his feet.
Monaco can’t breakdown Montpellier
Monaco couldn’t beat Montpellier, as they drew 0-0 at the Stade de la Mosson. They had previously won six games in a row, but they were without Radamel Falcao and Adama Traore.
Montpellier were extremely aggressive and picked up five bookings as they held out in defence. “We defended well and read the game well,” said Montpellier boss Michel Der Zakarian.
“A draw isn't a good result as we came here to take three points,” admitted Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim. “We were missing a lot of things in attack.”
Lyon come from behind to earn draw
Lyon drew 1-1 with Angers and failed to move into second in the league. They have now matched Monaco’s results in the last six game days.
Karl Toko Ekambi opened the scoring inside quarter of an hour through a penalty, as the striker scored his 10th of the season. There was certainly no argument that Jeremy Morel’s challenge on Angelo Fulgini was a foul.
Nabil Fekir netted his 14th Ligue One goal this term and his fourth in as many matches in all competitions. It was a great bit of skill by the Frenchman in the build-up to the strike, as he took the ball away from fellow attacker Maxwel Cornet with the finish.
Thauvin helps Marseille win
Marseille lost to Rennes in the Coupe de la Ligue in December, as the home side won on penalties following a 2-2 draw. They clearly wished to make amends at Roazhon Park in order to close the gap on the chasing pack.
Florian Thauvin had a penalty saved by Tomas Koubek, after it was harshly judged that the former Newcastle winger had been tripped by centre-back Mexer. Thauvin was involved in yet another controversial moment when he controlled the ball on his chest, with the Rennes defenders stopping to appeal for handball, he played the ball into Valere Germain to put Marseille in-front.
The attacker now has as many assists as Neymar and impressed for Marseille throughout. Morgan Sanson doubled their lead just before the interval with a well-taken strike having just recovered from flu, with Thauvin rounding off an impressive display by a rare headed goal with only eight minutes of the game remaining.
Saint-Etienne win relegation battle
Toulouse defender Andy Delort caught Jonathan Bamba with a sliding challenge just before half-time and the attacker took the opportunity to hit the deck in the relegation encounter between Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Robert Beric scored the resulting spot kick on his first appearance since returning from his loan spell at Anderlecht.
Just one point separated Saint-Etienne and Toulouse before kick-off, with the latter in the relegation play-off position. Saint-Etienne had further chances to put the game beyond doubt, but they failed to capitalise.
Christopher Jullien thought he had equalised, when his header was ruled out for offside. Assane Diousse scored his first goal for Saint-Etienne in the last five minutes to give them their first league win since the middle of October.
Honourable mentions
After six straight defeats in all competitions, Bordeaux defeated Troyes 1-0. Gaetan Laborde scored his first goal of the season in his first league start, with Arsenal target Malcom creating the opportunity.
Bordeaux had gained just five points from a possible 33 before the visit to the Stade de l’Aube. They had been beaten 6-2 by PSG in the match prior to this sequence, which appears to have affected their confidence.
