Lens stay focused as Sochaux slip
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Article summary
RC Lens maintained their hold on second spot in France with a notable away win while FC Sochaux-Montbéliard were shocked by FC Nantes Atlantique.
Article body
RC Lens maintained their hold on second spot in Ligue 1 tonight with a notable 1-0 win away to Olympique de Marseille while FC Sochaux-Montbéliard's UEFA Champions League ambitions were dented by lowly FC Nantes Atlantique.
Dindane winner
Lens, who play host to Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 this Thursday, scored the game's only goal on 59 minutes as Aruna Dindane struck for the eleventh time in the league this season. The win ensured Lens moved back to within 13 points of runaway leaders Olympique Lyonnais, and six ahead of LOSC Lille Métropole, while Marseille missed the chance to move into fifth place.
Keserü streak
Sochaux spurned a chance to move into third position after they were defeated 2-1 at home by Nantes, who moved off the bottom of the table as a result. The sides avoided each other in Sunday's draw for the French Cup semi-finals and that must be of relief to Sochaux after this shock setback. Dimitri Payet (23) gave Nantes the lead but Sochaux were quickly level thanks to a penalty from Álvaro (34). The winner came on 51 minutes as Romanian striker Claudiu Keserü notched for the fifth successive game in league and cup.
