Mutliplex: Giroud completes dramatic Lille turnaround at Marseille, PFC edge to safety against Le Havre
LOSC Lille completed a dramatic turnaround at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday afternoon thanks to a late header from Olivier Giroud which sealed a huge three points in the race for Champions League qualification. Les Dogues have moved level with Lyon in fourth place, whilst now sitting only two points behind OM in the podium spot.
It was certainly decisive match-up for both sides in the race for direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League, Lyon's loss would suddenly increase the importance at a grey Vélodrome on Sunday evening. Les Olympiens got off to the quicker start in the first few minutes as Mason Greenwood dragged a shot wide after a low freekick sent across the box from Igor Paixao. Les Dogues responded immediately as Mukau forced Rulli into the first save of the game from the centre of the box.
Marseille were then handed a blow when Mason Greenwood had to be pulled by Habib Beye following a concussion injury suffered after a mass brawl broke out in the middle of the pitch involving Verdonk and Haraldsson. Nathan Ngoy arguably should have seen a red when he initially wiped out the English winger as the last defender, despite being quite a distance from goal.
Lille come back to win
Fernandez-Pardo was lively, and forced a second save out of Rulli with a strike from the right of the box. After a stop and start spell it was the hosts that ended up opening the scoring after some great work from Igor Paixao to stand up a cross to meet Ethan Nwaneri's late run - the Englishman met it with a lovely cushioned finish on the volley to open the scoring just before the break (42').
After the resumption of the second half it was Lille who managed to strike back after OM couldn't clear their lines and Meunier took a golden chance when the ball fell to him in the box after an error from Balerdi, with the former PSG man poking home from close range (48'). Fernandez-Pardo thought he had put Les Dogues back in front when he was played through on goal and slotted past Rulli. But it was only for a tight offside call to quickly rule out the goal. Habib Beye rolled the dice to bring on Amine Gouiuri after taking off Kondogbia as Marseille looked to regain their advantage.
Yet Lille would mount a late push and it paid off. Haraldsson was denied by Rulli from close range in the remaining minutes, before a fine cross from Ayoub Bouaddi was met with a fine header from substitute Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman outmuscled Timothy Weah before craning his neck and nodding past Rulli to stun the Vélodrome into silence (85').
Paris FC take big step towards safety with win over Le Havre
Ciro Immobile score his first goal for a Paris FC side that completed a 3-2 win over Le Havre to take a big step towards safety on Sunday afternoon. Antoine Kombouré's side opened the scoring through their Italian summer signing before an own goal from Seyo (33'). Rudy Matondo was sent-off on the 55th minute before Rassoul Ndiaye gave the vistors hope of a comeback (61'). Alimami Gory restablished the capital side's lead late on (86'), before Godson Kyeremeh's strike for Le Havre took the shine off the scoreline. PFC are now unbeaten in five matches and sit 13th on 31 points, in a favourable position to stay in the league just before the March international break.
Rennes held to draw with Metz
Stade Rennais lost ground in the battle to finish in the top five after being held to a goalless draw with bottom side Metz. The hosts saw 19 shots on goal, yet Metz's second goalkeeper Pape Sy would hold firm between the sticks and the Grenats would hold onto a point in Brittany. The hosts did however think they made the breakthrough when Anthony Rouault put Rennes ahead in the 89th minute, before the goal was ruled out for an initial offside, denying Les Rouge et Noir on their match to celebrate 125 years of existance.
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