Multiplex: Lens edge Angers and more
Match Reports
While the three matches in Sunday evening's matchday multiplex may have been short on goals, they were hardly light on excitement, with chances aplenty in all three matches. Racing Club de Lens earned a first win under new manager Will Still, beating Angers SCO 1-0, while another new face on the touchline, Strasbourg's Liam Rosenior, saw his side earn a battling one-all draw away to Montpellier HSC. In Toulouse, FC Nantes and the hosts played to a scoreless draw.
ANGERS SCO 0-1 RACING CLUB DE LENS
In Angers, Lens dominated, and thought they had gone ahead inside a minute as Florian Sotoca headed home only to see it flagged offside. Angers pushed back and earned a succession of corners, but created little that would trouble Brice Samba in the Lens goal until midway through the half, when the France international was at full stretch to keep out Yassin Belkhdim's effort.
Moments later, that stop would prove decisive as Wesley Saïd, leading the line following the departure of Elye Wahi finished from near the penalty spot after a fine bit of skill on the turn. Lens kept battling for a second, and hit the woodwork twice before the break, but would come no closer to scoring than that, Saïd's goal the only one of the match.
MONTPELLIER HSC 1-1 RACING CLUB DE STRASBOURG
In Montpellier, the one-all scoreline scarcely told the story as both goalkeepers -- Benjamin Lecomte for the hosts and Karl-Johan Johnsson for Racing -- made several stunning saves, the two teams combining for ten shots on target in a lively encounter. Montpellier were the first to be frustrated, as just past the half hour, Johnsson made stunning pair of saves from close range in quick succession to deny Akor Adams.
In the second half, both teams would find the net, with Habib Diarra scoring a fine goal from range just before the hour mark, but a clumsy challenge from Johnsson would earn the hosts a penalty, which was duly converted by Téji Savanier. Both teams looked hard for a winner, and deep into stoppage time, Racing had a great chance to snatch the result, but Saïdou Sow's bullet header at a free kick was kept out by Lecomte, preserving the result for La Paillade.
TOULOUSE FC 0-0 FC NANTES
Toulouse had countenanced the departures of key players Thijs Dallinga and Christian Mawissa this summer, but scarcely missed a beat in a strong showing against visiting Nantes. Dominant in possession and with far more chances, the hosts searched in vain for a goal, but were denied repeatedly by Alban Lafont, who made six saves, including a stunning stop at the near post against Zakaria Aboukhlal. Despite Les Violets' best efforts, Lafont would prove unbeatable and the two sides would share the points.
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