France round-up: Marseille take over at top

Olympique de Marseille took over at the top of the Ligue 1 table with a 2-0 away win at AC Ajaccio, while AS Monaco FC were held to a 0-0 draw at Stade Rennais FC.

Marseille in charge
Marseille were always in control against an Ajaccio side that enjoyed long spells of possession without ever really threatening, and took the lead ten minutes before half-time with their first real attack of the match, when Ibrahima Bakayoko rounded off an excellent passing move with a spectacular overhead finish.

Decisive penalty
Ajaccio were more positive in the second half but still struggled to break down the Marseille defence, who expertly protected Vedran Runje’s goal. Marseille sealed the win eleven minutes from time after Marseille defender Sébastien Pérez was brought down by Mamadou Seck and Lamine Sakho converted the resulting penalty.

Monaco frustrated
Marseille moved two points clear at the head of the standings as Monaco’s run of three successive wins came to an end at Rennes. Didier Deschamp’s side struggled to find a way past some determined defending from the home team, who remain just above the relegation zone in 15th place.

Late equaliser
OGC Nice drew 2-2 at home with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, despite falling behind to Mickaël Pagis’ 39th-minute goal and then losing José Cobos to a red card shortly before half-time. Second-half goals from Everson and Cédric Mionnet seemed to have secured ten-man Nice a hard-earned win, but Pierre-Alain Frau’s penalty nine minutes from time gave Sochaux a draw.

Lyon held again
AJ Auxerre are in fourth place, and have the chance to move above Nice when they play at home to FC Nantes Atlantique on Sunday. Meanwhile, champions Olympique Lyonnais were again disappointing as they failed to beat bottom club ES Troyes Aube Champagne at home, sharing a goalless draw with their lowly opponents.

European challenge
SC Bastia continued to press for a UEFA Cup place and moved up to sixth place with a 2-0 win at FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Michael Essien gave the away side the lead after 20 minutes, before Lilian Laslandes scored against his former club to secure three important points for Bastia.

Shock defeat
Paris-Saint Germain FC also lost at home, slipping to a surprise 3-1 defeat at the hands of Montpellier Hérault SC. Jérôme Leroy put PSG in front after only three minutes, but two goals in six minutes from Montpellier’s Valery Mezague turned the scoreline in the away side’s favour. Despite the fact Mezague was dismissed midway through the second half, Fode Mansaré added a third to end PSG’s challenge, who also had Paulo César sent off late on.

Hard-fought win
Elsewhere, CS Sedan-Ardennes, who had two players sent off, lost 2-1 at Le Havre AC, while RC Strasbourg won 3-1 at home to En Avant Guingamp and RC Lens triumphed 2-0 at Lille OSC.