Leaders Lille lose points at Lorient
Sunday, April 24, 2011
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LOSC Lille Métropole were left frustrated after they could only draw 1-1 at FC Lorient, a result which leaves them two points clear of Olympique de Marseille but having played a game more.
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LOSC Lille Métropole suffered a setback in their quest for the Ligue 1 title as they were held to a 1-1 draw at FC Lorient, leaving them two points clear of Olympique de Marseille but having played one game more.
With closest rivals Marseille in League Cup final action on Saturday, Lille were eager to give themselves breathing space at the top of the standings. They found the going tough in Brittany, however, and were grateful to a string of saves from Mickaël Landreau before Mathieu Debuchy gave them an unlikely lead three minutes before the interval. The hosts nonetheless kept up their pressure and levelled through Kevin Gameiro after 68 minutes, following a one-two with Morgan Amalfitano.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain FC picked up what could prove a precious point in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification by drawing 2-2 at Stade Brestois 29. Ahmed Kantari's own goal three minutes from time rescued the capital side, who now lie level with third-placed Olympique Lyonnais – who boast a game in hand. Two points back, Stade Rennais FC lost 1-0 at AS Monaco FC.
FC Girondins de Bordeaux were the day's only other winners as they downed AS Saint-Étienne 2-0 to leapfrog Les Verts into sixth. The bottom three all drew, meanwhile, with basement outfit AC Arles-Avignon contesting a goalless stalemate at fourth-bottom AS Nancy-Lorraine, 19th-placed RC Lens held 1-1 at AJ Auxerre and third-bottom SM Caen drawing 1-1 with Toulouse FC. Lastly, the game between Valenciennes FC and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard ended 1-1.
