France round-up: Nice substitutes sink Auxerre
Saturday, November 16, 2002
Article summary
OGC Nice won 2-0 at AJ Auxerre to keep their place at the top of the table, but Olympique Lyonnais also took three points.
Article body
OGC Nice's thrilling run in the French First Division continued as they won 2-0 at AJ Auxerre to maintain their place at the top of the table.
Best defence
With Nice still boasting the best defence in Ligue 1, having conceded just seven goals in the league all season, Guy Roux's Auxerre were held at arm's length on home territory.
Cissé miss
Auxerre were allowed plenty of possession, but the newly-promoted side managed to deny them chances. Djibril Cissé squandered Auxerre's best opportunity on the hour when his volley from inside the box was stopped by goalkeeper Damien Gregorini.
On the break
The game was poised to end goalless until Kaba Diawara released Togolese substitute Adekanmi Olufadé two minutes from time and he completed a perfect counterattacking move by beating Fabien Cool in the Auxerre goal.
Second goal
Nice's impressive smash and grab raid was completed in injury time as another substitute, Sammy Traoré, broke away to score his side's second of the afternoon to leave Roux's team floundering in mid-table.
Lyon close gap
Nice’s lead was cut to a single point after Saturday’s late games, as second-placed Olympique Lyonnais beat FC Girondins de Bordeaux 4-2 at home. Sidney Govou gave the home side the lead in the very first minute, but goals from Nicolas Sahnoun and David Sommeil turned the match on its head and put Bordeaux in charge.
Rousing comeback
Lyon came out strongly after half-time, as two quick goals from Péguy Luyindula restored the home side’s lead, before substitute Tony Vairelles added the fourth in the 54th minute. Meanwhile, Olympique de Marseille were held to a goalless draw at home against ES Troyes Aube Champagne.
Away wins
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, who are fifth, were also frustrated as Montpellier Hérault SC earned a 0-0 draw at the Bonal stadium. En Avant Guingamp won 2-0 at SC Bastia thanks to goals from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba, while Christophe Landrin’s strike gave Lille OSC a narrow 1-0 win at CS Sedan-Ardennes.
Nantes on top
FC Nantes Atlantique defeated RC Strasbourg 4-1, with Marama Vahirua and Wilfried Dalmat each scoring twice for the home side, while Danijel Ljuboja was on target for Strasbourg. Le Havre AC earned a scoreless draw at Stade Rennais FC.
Chance for PSG
On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain FC have the opportunity to move into third place when they visit RC Lens.
