Montpellier Herault and Olympique Lyonnais notched spectacular wins to keep the pressure on leaders Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Montpellier overcame Dijon FCO 5-3 as Olivier Giroud grabbed a hat-trick to help them recover from a two-goal deficit, while Lyon beat AS Nancy-Lorraine 3-1 thanks to three first-half goals in an eight minute spell, including a Michel Bastos double.
PSG, who were visiting AC Ajaccio later yesterday, lead Montpellier and Lyon on goal-difference with all three teams on 20 points.
LOSC Lille Metropole grabbed a 3-1 comeback win at AJ Auxerre with late goals by Dimitri Payet, substitute Ireneusz Jelen and Mathieu Debuchy as the champions, who started with Joe Cole and Eden Hazard on the bench, moved up one place to fourth on 19 points.
Olympique de Marseille drew 0-0 at fifth-placed Toulouse, leaving them 13th and awaiting a second league win this season.
Also on Saturday, AS Saint-Etienne won 2-1 at Evian Thonon Gaillard, Stade Brestois 29 drew 1-1 with Stade Malherbe Caen and OGC Nice beat Girondins de Bordeaux 3-0.
Montpellier trailed to Benjamin Corgnet’s double after 11 minutes, but the hosts fought back with striker Giroud netting a treble to become the league’s top scorer on seven goals.
Montpellier, who have Ligue 1’s best attack with 22 goals, looked set to snatch top spot on goals scored, but Dijon striker Thomas Guerbert’s last-minute strike left PSG top.
Lyon, who welcomed back defender Cris from a long-term injury layoff, were quick off the mark as Michel Bastos’ brace and a goal by Bafetimbi Gomis between the 25th and 32nd minutes gave the seven-time champions a 3-0 lead.
South Korean striker Jung Jo-gook got a consolation with two minutes left as Nancy, who have yet to win this season, stayed bottom of the table on five points.
France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, back in the Lyon squad after ankle surgery, made his first appearance of the season when he came on as a first-half substitute.
Marseille, who host Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, were once again denied a victory following yet another mediocre performance.
The 2009-2010 Ligue 1 champions, who have won only one league game this season, were industrious at best and they had midfielder Charles Kabore sent off in the 58th minute.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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