Multiplex: Auxerre climb out of relegation zone as Lorient beat Angers

AJ Auxerre put three goals past FC Metz as they climbed out of the relegation zone at FC Nantes' expense, whilst FC Lorient beat Angers SCO to move into the top half of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table. We take you through this afternoon's action in France's top flight.

Metz 1-3 Auxerre

Going into this gameweek, this was bottom versus second-bottom. Benoit Tavenot's side were rock-bottom of Ligue 1 McDonald's and in desperate need of points to bolster their hopes of survival in the top flight. However, Auxerre arrived with designs of securing all three points and going ahead of Nantes, whose 3-1 defeat to AS Monaco on Friday left them vulnerable.

As it transpired, Christophe Pelissier's side would seize their opportunity at the Stade Saint Symphorien. Auxerre opened the scoring inside the opening minutes thanks to an own goal from Metz's Sadibou Sané (4'). It is a goal that ensured that L'AJA were always in control of a game that feels vital in the enthralling relegation battle at the bottom of Ligue 1 McDonald's.

And Auxerre then doubled their lead late in the second half in a snow-swept Metz. This was one for the dubious goals panel, as Lassine Sinayoko saw a deflected effort come off the leg of Urie-Michel Mboula (76'). It is unclear whether the Mali international's initial effort was on target, but in any case, it was enough to beat Jonathan Fischer.

L'AJA then made it three in the 89th minute as Kévin Danois scored to put Pelissier's side out of sight, deepening Metz's relegation concerns, whilst slightly easing their own. Nathan Mbala's goal in injury time proved merely a consolation for Les Grenats (90+4').

Lorient 2-0 Angers

Lorient and Angers, meanwhile, are two teams that many had tipped to be involved in a relegation battle, but going into matchday 22, both were comfortably clear of the relegation zone, and both, in fact, had designs on going into the top half of the table on Sunday afternoon.

Ultimately, it would be Les Merlus who would get the win to do just that, as a 2-0 win over Le SCO put them into ninth, and behind Monaco only on goal difference. Quite the performance from Olivier Pantaloni's high-flying side.

It was a familiar name on the scoresheet for the Breton club. Pablo Pagis has been in excellent form throughout the season for the high-flying Merlus and he was on the scoresheet in the ninth minute, turning, twisting, eliminating two defenders before blasting into the near corner.

Pantaloni's side looked in control, with Alexandre Dujeux's men unable to get the goal to get them back in the game and Jean-Victor Makengo then gave Lorient breathing space (58'), as they would go on to secure a win that lifts them to ninth. Angers, meanwhile, remain in 11th, comfortably clear from the ongoing relegation battle.

>> Monaco beat Nantes thanks to Simon Adingra brace

>> Lens return to the summit of Ligue 1 McDonald's thanks to 5-0 win at Paris FC