Multiplex: Le Havre out of the bottom three, Auxerre keep winning
Match Reports
Matchday 12’s Ligue 1 McDonald’s multiplex featured just two matches, with Friday having seen two matches played. After Saint-Étienne and Montpellier HSC squared off yesterday, with Les Verts picking up a vital win over La Paillade, this evening saw another pair of matches with relegation implications as FC Nantes welcomed Le Havre while AJ Auxerre hosted SCO Angers.
In-form Traoré lifts Auxerre
Auxerre under Christophe Pélissier are from being in the relegation scrap, and were looking for their third straight win in Ligue 1, hoping to move into the top six pending other results after strong displays before the break against Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais. They would have their work cut out for them at home against an Angers side who, despite being in the bottom three ahead of kickoff, have managed to pick up surprise on occasion, notably picking up a big win away to AS Monaco.
From the off, the visitor looked to put pressure on Pélissier's side, with Farid El-Melali testing Auxerre 'keeper Donovan Léon twice. The hosts would need nearly half an hour to get a shot on target, with Ki-Jana Hoever's tame effort easily gathered by Yahia Fofana. With fifteen minutes to play, Léon again impressed to keep out Ibrahima Niane at his near post, but Auxerre's gradually growing into the game eventually paid off as Hamed Junior Traoré headed in his sixth goal of the season in stoppage time for the match's only goal.
Auxerre’s biggest hero: HAMED JUNIOR TRAORÉ 🇨🇮🦸♂️ pic.twitter.com/6zl8QxHq37
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 24, 2024
Le Havre cruise in Nantes
In Nantes, Le Havre headed to the Beaujoire having lost four of their last five matches, and in need of a win. They wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet, with Josué Casimir netting in the third minute of play, the winger pouncing after Alban Lafont had spilled Issa Soumaré's initial effort. Through the middle of the match, Nantes grew in confidence, with shots from Florent Mollet (36') and Matthis Abline (44'), but neither tested Arthur Desmas.
The visitors responded well in the second half, though, and a goal from Steven Ngoura, scored from a tight angle, would seal the result with twenty minutes to play. Antoine Kombouaré made several changes but to no effect, and the 2-0 loss leaves Nantes in the playoff spot, while Le Havre climbed above their hosts and into 14th place.
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