Agali inspires Nice comeback

By Chris Burke

Victor Agali's quick hat-trick and a late goal from Marama Vahirua saw OGC Nice complete a remarkable comeback and inflict Ligue 1 leaders AS Monaco FC's first home defeat of the season.

Monaco stunned
Javier Saviola put Monaco ahead after six minutes and Emmanuel Adebayor added one in each half to put Monaco seemingly comfortably in control at 3-0. But Nigerian striker Victor Agali struck on 67, 72 and 74 minutes to bring Nice level and Vahirua's winner with seven minutes took Nice six places up the table into ninth. Monaco's Julien Rodriguez and Sammy Traoré for Nice were sent off late in the game. Monaco are still top but, a point behind, Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC can take advantage of Monaco’s slip-up when they face AS Saint-Etienne and Stade Rennais FC respectively in two of four Sunday fixtures.

Marseille fourth
Olympique de Marseille are level on points with Lyon and LOSC in fourth place after goals from Habib Bamogo and Sylvain N'Diaye helped them beat FC Istres 2-0. Istres remain in 19th place, having taken just one point at home.

PSG comeback 
Paris Saint-Germain FC made it two league wins in a row after having trailed to Youssef Hadji’s early opener for SC Bastia. Fabrice Pancrate equalised after 27 minutes with a cross-shot and, before the half hour mark, Reinaldo put PSG 2-1 ahead to move the capital club further away from the relegation zone.

Lens draw 
France international Alou Diarra found the net in the first minute for RC Lens, only for AC Ajaccio to equalise through Waldir Lucas Pereira's fourth strike in four games. SM Caen also drew 1-1 with FC Girondins de Bordeaux while FC Nantes Atlantique’s 2-0 victory against bottom side RC Strasbourg was their first away win this season.