France round-up: Auxerre humbled in Lens

Having been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in midweek when they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by PSV Eindhoven, Ligue 1 leaders AJ Auxerre suffered another defeat tonight, losing 3-1 at RC Lens.

Early lead
Although the away side took a fifth-minute lead as Amdy Faye headed in from a corner, Lens captain Rigobert Song equalised in similar fashion before striker Antoine Sibierski put the home team in front on the stroke of half-time.

Cissé returns to action
Although Auxerre were boosted by the appearance as a substitute of striker Djibril Cissé, whose 73rd-minute introduction was his first appearance since September 11, the away side lost Lionel Mathis to a late red card and Lens substitute Eric Sikora added a third goal in the final minute.
 
Late goal foils Lyon
A late equaliser saw OGC Nice earn a 2-2 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in Saturday's early game. Defender Jacques Abardonado headed a goal from a free-kick deep into added time to deny the UEFA Champions League contenders three points at the Stade Gerland after they had come from a goal behind to take a 2-1 lead.

Anderson takes centre stage
Nice had taken the lead after 40 minutes when Kaba Diawara latched on to Yohan Bigne's through-ball, only for Sonny Anderson to score three minutes after half-time before setting up a second goal for Christophe Delmotte after 64 minutes.

Marseille go fourth
Olympique de Marseille moved back into fourth place in the table thanks to a 2-0 home win against Montpellier Hérault SC. Ibrahima Bakayoko gave the home side the lead, but Montpellier’s hopes were raised when Marseille’s Fabio Celestini was sent off shortly before half-time. However, Franck Silvestre’s goal on the hour sealed the win.

Sochaux see off Strasbourg
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard currently lie sixth, having defeated RC Strasbourg 2-0. Goals from Santos and a Valerien Ismael own goal demoralised the away side, who also lost Teddy Bertin to a late red card.

Monaco earn draw
AS Monaco FC shared a 1-1 draw with Le Havre FC, despite having goalkeeper Flavio Roma dismissed in the fourth minute. Ludovic Giuly gave the home side the lead, but a second-half goal from Florent Sinama-Pongolle earned the visitors a point.

Laslandes on target
A Lilian Laslandes goal was enough for SC Bastia to beat Lille OSC 1-0, while AC Ajaccio earned a goalless draw at Stade Rennais FC. En Avant Guingamp triumphed 2-0 at bottom side ES Troyes Aube Champagne thanks to goals from Didier Drogba and Wagneau Eloi.

Chance for PSG
Although Auxerre retained top spot in the table, Paris Saint-Germain FC can overtake them on Sunday when they visit CS Sedan-Ardennes, while the other game tomorrow sees FC Nantes Atlantique take on FC Girondins de Bordeaux.