Montpellier miss chance to climb
Sunday, October 31, 2010
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Montpellier Hérault SC played out a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain FC that prevented them from going second in Ligue 1, and that was also the scoreline in Sunday's northern derby.
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Montpellier Hérault SC spurned the opportunity to haul themselves up to second in Ligue 1 after being held to a 1-1 home draw by Paris Saint-Germain FC, and that was also the scoreline between northern neighbours Valenciennes FC and LOSC Lille Métropole.
With the meeting between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais FC postponed again on Sunday due to torrential rain – and weather conditions also accounting for the fixture between AS Monaco FC and FC Girondins de Bordeaux – Montpellier knew victory would take them a point shy of surprise leaders Stade Brestois 29. They needed Marco Estrada's 42nd-minute leveller to salvage anything from the game, however, after Ludovic Giuly had earlier struck from point-blank range for PSG.
Both goals in the northern derby came in a frenetic finish, meanwhile, with an own goal from goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau seemingly gifting Lille the points four minutes from time, only for Grégory Pujol to equalise for the hosts a minute later. Lille lie eighth in the table, with Montpellier sixth, PSG seventh and Valenciennes lower down in 11th.
