Lille lose momentum
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Article summary
LOSC Lille Métropole dropped points at home against AS Monaco FC with a pulsating 1-1 draw.
Article body
By Chris Burke
LOSC Lille Métropole missed the chance to keep pace with leaders Olympique Lyonnais as a 1-1 draw with AS Monaco FC brought their run of five straight home wins to an end.
Chevantón strike
A constant threat to the northern side’s defence, it was Ururguayan striker Ernesto Chevantón who gave Monaco the lead on the half-hour mark, shooting powerfully past a helpless Tony Sylva. Lille refused to panic, though, and were back on level terms 13 minutes later, when midfield player Christophe Landrin intercepted Sébastien Squillaci’s headed back-pass to score his first goal of the season.
Moussilou denied
Both sides created good chances in the second half, with Chevantón missing from six metres out and Lille striker Matt Moussilou having an effort disallowed for offside. Substitute Mathieu Bodmer nearly won it for Lille in the dying seconds, only for his header to be deflected wide by team-mate Stéphane Dumont.
Winless streak
The draw moves Monaco up into fifth place ahead of Olympique de Marseille on goals scored, but this seventh consecutive match without victory leaves them ten points adrift of Lyon, with Lille now three points back in second spot.
