Lille star drops Premier League hint

Lille defender Aurelien Chedjou has revealed that he rejected an offer from Juventus earlier this summer.

The Old Lady officials contacted Chedjou’s agent this summer to negotiate the player’s move to Turin, but the Cameroon international opted to remain at Lille.

“As I gave my word to Lille by extending (contract in April until 2015), I decided to stay for another season,” Chedjou told L’Equipe.

Liverpool have also expressed interest in signing the 26-year-old, and the player admits England could be his next destination.

“We’ll see, but England is a destination which would please me. But, I am not the one who would say ‘I’ll finish my season and leave.’ I try to play well and if the offers arrive we will sit at the table.”

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Joe Cole Joins French Club Lille

Looks like Liverpool want to release some dead weight from their squad after letting go Poulsen on a permanent deal over to Evian and now Joe Cole will be loaned out.

Joe Cole not being able to perform under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish decided to try his luck in some other clubs as he will be moving to Lille on a season loan deal.

A statement on Liverpool’s official website read: “Liverpool announced today it had finalized a deal with Lille OSC for the loan transfer of Joe Cole.

“The 29-year old will now join the French champions for the remainder of the current campaign.”

Filed under: English Premier League • Football Transfers

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Coupe de France: Nice 0 Lille 2

Ligue 1 leaders Lille booked a place in the final of the Coupe de France on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Nice at the Stade Municipal du Ray.

Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard opened the scoring just before the interval when he found some space on the edge of the box and rifled a shot past Lionel Letizi in the Nice goal.

A minute after the break, Ivory Coast striker Gervinho put them two ahead when he beat the offside trap and rounded Letizi before coolly slotting home.

Nice striker Eric Mouloungui hit the post for the hosts, but that was as close as they came to scoring and Lille were able to claim their place in the cup final to be played on May 14.

Their opponent in that match will be either Ligue 2 outfit Angers or Paris Saint Germain, who clash in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

Wed 20 April, 2011

Coupe de France: Nice 0 Lille 2

Ligue 1 leaders Lille booked a place in the final of the Coupe de France on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Nice at the Stade Municipal du Ray.

Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard opened the scoring just before the interval when he found some space on the edge of the box and rifled a shot past Lionel Letizi in the Nice goal.

A minute after the break, Ivory Coast striker Gervinho put them two ahead when he beat the offside trap and rounded Letizi before coolly slotting home.

Nice striker Eric Mouloungui hit the post for the hosts, but that was as close as they came to scoring and Lille were able to claim their place in the cup final to be played on May 14.

Their opponent in that match will be either Ligue 2 outfit Angers or Paris Saint Germain, who clash in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

Wed 20 April, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Marseille narrow gap on leaders Lille

Marseille closed to within a point of Ligue 1 leaders Lille with a 2-1 win at Montpellier on Sunday, while Lyon fell in the capital.

In a dress rehearsal for the Coupe de la Ligue final at the Stade de France on Saturday, OM came from a goal down to edge the hosts on Taye Taiwo’s late penalty.

Both teams had earlier gone down to 10 men in the ill-tempered clash, with Montpellier defender Abdelhamid El Kaoutari and OM forward Loic Remy handed red cards for an ugly spat deep in the second half.

Their suspensions mean the pair will automatically miss Saturday’s cup final.

The game broke open following a staid and chanceless first half, with Montpellier seizing control through striker Olivier Giroud in the 64th minute.

The towering forward turned the ball into the net off his left boot after being fed by Joris Marveaux.

But their lead would last all of five minutes before Andre-Pierre Gignac conjured up a wonder goal, having sprung the offside trap on Benoit Cheyrou’s long, defence-splitting bomb.

The drama kicked up a gear in the 78th minute after El Kaoutari gave away a penalty for tugging on Remy’s shirt.

The France international remonstrated with his marker, blows were exchanged and the pair were given their marching orders.

Taiwo kept his cool as he awaited the all-clear to take his spot kick, and four minutes later he sent OM into the lead and secured a vital three points for the defending champions.

Elsewhere, Paris-Saint Germain climbed to fourth on the table with a 1-0 win over title hopefuls Lyon.

PSG defender Zoumana Camara edged the hosts into the lead with a 76th-minute goal, his first of the campaign.

Lyon, who suffered just their second league clean sheet since September, remain third on the table but fall five points behind Marseille and six points off leaders Lille.

Finally, Arles’ relegation to the second division became a mathematical certainty as the bottom-placed side fell 1-0 at home to Valenciennes.

The visitors, without a win in their past seven league games and hovering above the drop zone by virtue of their superior goal difference, had top-scorer Gregory Pujol to thank after the striker’s rich vein of form continued with a 68th-minute winner.

Valenciennes rise to 13th on the table, three points clear of the relegation places, with seven games left in the season.

Sun 17 April, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Marseille narrow gap on leaders Lille

Marseille closed to within a point of Ligue 1 leaders Lille with a 2-1 win at Montpellier on Sunday, while Lyon fell in the capital.

In a dress rehearsal for the Coupe de la Ligue final at the Stade de France on Saturday, OM came from a goal down to edge the hosts on Taye Taiwo’s late penalty.

Both teams had earlier gone down to 10 men in the ill-tempered clash, with Montpellier defender Abdelhamid El Kaoutari and OM forward Loic Remy handed red cards for an ugly spat deep in the second half.

Their suspensions mean the pair will automatically miss Saturday’s cup final.

The game broke open following a staid and chanceless first half, with Montpellier seizing control through striker Olivier Giroud in the 64th minute.

The towering forward turned the ball into the net off his left boot after being fed by Joris Marveaux.

But their lead would last all of five minutes before Andre-Pierre Gignac conjured up a wonder goal, having sprung the offside trap on Benoit Cheyrou’s long, defence-splitting bomb.

The drama kicked up a gear in the 78th minute after El Kaoutari gave away a penalty for tugging on Remy’s shirt.

The France international remonstrated with his marker, blows were exchanged and the pair were given their marching orders.

Taiwo kept his cool as he awaited the all-clear to take his spot kick, and four minutes later he sent OM into the lead and secured a vital three points for the defending champions.

Elsewhere, Paris-Saint Germain climbed to fourth on the table with a 1-0 win over title hopefuls Lyon.

PSG defender Zoumana Camara edged the hosts into the lead with a 76th-minute goal, his first of the campaign.

Lyon, who suffered just their second league clean sheet since September, remain third on the table but fall five points behind Marseille and six points off leaders Lille.

Finally, Arles’ relegation to the second division became a mathematical certainty as the bottom-placed side fell 1-0 at home to Valenciennes.

The visitors, without a win in their past seven league games and hovering above the drop zone by virtue of their superior goal difference, had top-scorer Gregory Pujol to thank after the striker’s rich vein of form continued with a 68th-minute winner.

Valenciennes rise to 13th on the table, three points clear of the relegation places, with seven games left in the season.

Sun 17 April, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Monaco upset Lille, PSG edge Caen

Monaco bolstered their Ligue 1 survival chances and dented Lille’s title hopes in the process with a 1-0 win at the Stade Louis II.

South Korean midfielder Chu-young Park scored the only goal after 11 minutes of a spiteful game, with six Monaco players find their names in referee Olivier Thual’s book and Lille’s Ivory Coast striker Gervinho sent off after 32 minutes.

Gervinho was sent off for pushing Monaco defender Adriano, in retaliation for a heavy challenge from the Brazilian that earned him a caution.

Monaco’s win on Saturday sees them climb out of the relegation zone and into 14th place, although they are still just one point clear of the drop zone and among a logjam of five teams on 35 points.

Lille, meanwhile, could see their lead at the top cut to a solitary point should Marseille beat Toulouse on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain left Caen just a point clear of the drop zone with a 2-1 win away from home.

Christophe Jallet opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes and Clement Chantome doubled their advantage at the 68-minute mark, before Romain Hamouma pulled a goal back in stoppage time for Caen.

The win moved PSG to within a point of fourth-placed Lyon as the race for the all-important Europa League spot continues, with Lyon playing host to Lens on Sunday.

Auxerre dropped to 18th position after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Saint-Etienne.

Emmanuel Riviere gave the visitors the lead on 26 minutes, but Dennis Oliech levelled proceedings two minutes before half-time.

Pierre Aubameyang restored Saint-Etienne’s lead after 70 minutes, but a penalty from Dariusz Dudka 10 minutes later helped Auxerre claim what could be a crucial point as the relegation battle intensifies.

Bottom-side Arles also claimed a point through their 0-0 draw at Bordeaux but appear a certainty to face the drop, while mid-table sides Lorient and Sochaux played out a 1-1 draw at the Stade du Moustoir.

Boukary Drame fired Sochaux ahead on the 25-minute mark, but Jeremy Morel hit back for the hosts 10 minutes later.

Valenciennes joined the traffic jam on 35 points when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Nancy, in a game that saw both sides finish with 10 men.

Gregory Pujol gave Valenciennes the lead two minutes before half-time, just three minutes after his side had Serbian defender Milan Bisevac sent off for a second bookable offence.

Numbers were evened up on the hour mark when Nancy defender Michael Basser Chretien was also given his marching orders for a second caution, and substitute Marama Vahirua scored a stoppage-time equaliser to claim a point for the visitors.

Sat 9 April, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Monaco upset Lille, PSG edge Caen

Monaco bolstered their Ligue 1 survival chances and dented Lille’s title hopes in the process with a 1-0 win at the Stade Louis II.

South Korean midfielder Chu-young Park scored the only goal after 11 minutes of a spiteful game, with six Monaco players find their names in referee Olivier Thual’s book and Lille’s Ivory Coast striker Gervinho sent off after 32 minutes.

Gervinho was sent off for pushing Monaco defender Adriano, in retaliation for a heavy challenge from the Brazilian that earned him a caution.

Monaco’s win on Saturday sees them climb out of the relegation zone and into 14th place, although they are still just one point clear of the drop zone and among a logjam of five teams on 35 points.

Lille, meanwhile, could see their lead at the top cut to a solitary point should Marseille beat Toulouse on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain left Caen just a point clear of the drop zone with a 2-1 win away from home.

Christophe Jallet opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes and Clement Chantome doubled their advantage at the 68-minute mark, before Romain Hamouma pulled a goal back in stoppage time for Caen.

The win moved PSG to within a point of fourth-placed Lyon as the race for the all-important Europa League spot continues, with Lyon playing host to Lens on Sunday.

Auxerre dropped to 18th position after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Saint-Etienne.

Emmanuel Riviere gave the visitors the lead on 26 minutes, but Dennis Oliech levelled proceedings two minutes before half-time.

Pierre Aubameyang restored Saint-Etienne’s lead after 70 minutes, but a penalty from Dariusz Dudka 10 minutes later helped Auxerre claim what could be a crucial point as the relegation battle intensifies.

Bottom-side Arles also claimed a point through their 0-0 draw at Bordeaux but appear a certainty to face the drop, while mid-table sides Lorient and Sochaux played out a 1-1 draw at the Stade du Moustoir.

Boukary Drame fired Sochaux ahead on the 25-minute mark, but Jeremy Morel hit back for the hosts 10 minutes later.

Valenciennes joined the traffic jam on 35 points when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Nancy, in a game that saw both sides finish with 10 men.

Gregory Pujol gave Valenciennes the lead two minutes before half-time, just three minutes after his side had Serbian defender Milan Bisevac sent off for a second bookable offence.

Numbers were evened up on the hour mark when Nancy defender Michael Basser Chretien was also given his marching orders for a second caution, and substitute Marama Vahirua scored a stoppage-time equaliser to claim a point for the visitors.

Sat 9 April, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Marseille close gap on Lille, Nancy climb

Marseille kept in touch with Ligue 1 leaders Lille with victory over PSG on Sunday, while Nancy climbed the standings after beating Monaco.

Didier Deschamps’ Marseille claimed the scalp of fellow title contenders PSG with a 2-1 victory at the Stade Velodrome that saw them close the gap to Lille to four points.

Gabriel Heinze gave the home side the ideal start, firing home a 16th minute free kick.

Clement Chantome levelled proceedings in the 28th minute, only for Marseille to reply seven minutes later through what would prove to be the winning goal from Andre Ayew.

Nancy eased their relegation concerns with a 19th minute Andre Luiz header giving them a second successive league win, this time at the expense of fellow strugglers Monaco.

The result saw Pablo Correa’s men climb to 14th on the league standings with 35 points, six clear of the first relegation place which is currently occupied by Monaco.

Caen also stepped up their fight to avoid the drop with a 2-0 win over Arles helping them to 13th on the table.

Yohan Mollo and Youssef El Arabi netted late strikes to seal the three points for Franck Dumas’ side.

Mon 21 March, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Marseille close gap on Lille, Nancy climb

Marseille kept in touch with Ligue 1 leaders Lille with victory over PSG on Sunday, while Nancy climbed the standings after beating Monaco.

Didier Deschamps’ Marseille claimed the scalp of fellow title contenders PSG with a 2-1 victory at the Stade Velodrome that saw them close the gap to Lille to four points.

Gabriel Heinze gave the home side the ideal start, firing home a 16th minute free kick.

Clement Chantome levelled proceedings in the 28th minute, only for Marseille to reply seven minutes later through what would prove to be the winning goal from Andre Ayew.

Nancy eased their relegation concerns with a 19th minute Andre Luiz header giving them a second successive league win, this time at the expense of fellow strugglers Monaco.

The result saw Pablo Correa’s men climb to 14th on the league standings with 35 points, six clear of the first relegation place which is currently occupied by Monaco.

Caen also stepped up their fight to avoid the drop with a 2-0 win over Arles helping them to 13th on the table.

Yohan Mollo and Youssef El Arabi netted late strikes to seal the three points for Franck Dumas’ side.

Mon 21 March, 2011

Aston Villa Have Bid Rejected For £15m Lille Striker

6 comments by Jack Atchinson on March 3rd, 2011

Villa Park club have offer turned down as Ligue 1 side want more.

Premier League Tickets Available from Tixdaq.com

Coupe de France wrap: Semi-final berths for PSG, Lille

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Le Mans 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France on Wednesday, while Lille advanced on penalties.

But PSG were made to wait by the Ligue 2 leaders, who held strong for 108 minutes before conceding an extra-time goal to 17-year-old substitute Jean-Christophe Bahebeck.

Bahebeck’s first senior goal came in enthusiastic fashion, the youngster taking a one-two with Nene from the corner, charging into the box around a bemused Le Mans defence and tucking a low strike inside the near post.

Another young substitute in the form of 18-year-old midfielder Neeskens Kabano made it 2-0 for the defending champions, capping off Marcos Ceara’s good work with a simple finish on 117 minutes.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the French capital, PSG losing defender Zoumana Camara to a second caution in the 79th minute and Le Mans counterpart Mamadou Wague picking up his second card in injury time.

Elsewhere, Ligue 1 leaders Lille edged top-flight rivals Lorient in penalties after both sides went goal-less for 120 minutes.

It was a battling display from Lorient, who held firm despite losing centre-half Bruno Ecuele-Manga to a second caution shortly after the hour.

But Lille advanced 5-3 in the shootout.

Elsewhere, Ligue 2 side Angers thumped fifth-division Chambery 3-0 to reach the semi-finals, with Henri Saivet (45), Sebastien Renouard (62) and Diego Gomez (83) all finding the net.

Thu 3 March, 2011

Coupe de France wrap: Semi-final berths for PSG, Lille

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Le Mans 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France on Wednesday, while Lille advanced on penalties.

But PSG were made to wait by the Ligue 2 leaders, who held strong for 108 minutes before conceding an extra-time goal to 17-year-old substitute Jean-Christophe Bahebeck.

Bahebeck’s first senior goal came in enthusiastic fashion, the youngster taking a one-two with Nene from the corner, charging into the box around a bemused Le Mans defence and tucking a low strike inside the near post.

Another young substitute in the form of 18-year-old midfielder Neeskens Kabano made it 2-0 for the defending champions, capping off Marcos Ceara’s good work with a simple finish on 117 minutes.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the French capital, PSG losing defender Zoumana Camara to a second caution in the 79th minute and Le Mans counterpart Mamadou Wague picking up his second card in injury time.

Elsewhere, Ligue 1 leaders Lille edged top-flight rivals Lorient in penalties after both sides went goal-less for 120 minutes.

It was a battling display from Lorient, who held firm despite losing centre-half Bruno Ecuele-Manga to a second caution shortly after the hour.

But Lille advanced 5-3 in the shootout.

Elsewhere, Ligue 2 side Angers thumped fifth-division Chambery 3-0 to reach the semi-finals, with Henri Saivet (45), Sebastien Renouard (62) and Diego Gomez (83) all finding the net.

Thu 3 March, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Lille, Rennes maintain top-two status

Victor Montano was on target for Rennes in a 2-0 win over Nice on Sunday, but they remain five points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lille.

Centre-forward Montano, capped once by Columbia, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Just six minutes later and Montano’s strike partner, Togo international Razak Boukari, doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Defeat leaves Nice in 16th place, perilously close to the relegation zone and just two points better off than third-bottom Monaco.

Rennes remain second, but are five points behind Lille after the league leaders also won 2-0 at home to Toulouse.

Ivory Coast international Gervinho put the hosts 1-0 ahead six minutes before half-time at the Stade Lille Metropole.

It took until the final exchanges for Lille to guarantee the win, but substitute Tulio De Melo made sure with a second goal in the 90th minute.

Elsewhere, Valenciennes jumped three places to 12th with a 3-0 win over Brest.

The surprise front runners early in the campaign, Brest have now won just once in their last eight league matches and slip to 10th on the table following their latest reverse.

Goals from defenders David Ducourtioux and Milan Bisevac put the hosts two goals ahead inside 22 minutes at the Stade Nungesser.

Front-man Gregory Pujol wrapped up the scoring on 69 minutes.

Mon 14 February, 2011

Ligue 1 wrap: Lille, Rennes maintain top-two status

Victor Montano was on target for Rennes in a 2-0 win over Nice on Sunday, but they remain five points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lille.

Centre-forward Montano, capped once by Columbia, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Just six minutes later and Montano’s strike partner, Togo international Razak Boukari, doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Defeat leaves Nice in 16th place, perilously close to the relegation zone and just two points better off than third-bottom Monaco.

Rennes remain second, but are five points behind Lille after the league leaders also won 2-0 at home to Toulouse.

Ivory Coast international Gervinho put the hosts 1-0 ahead six minutes before half-time at the Stade Lille Metropole.

It took until the final exchanges for Lille to guarantee the win, but substitute Tulio De Melo made sure with a second goal in the 90th minute.

Elsewhere, Valenciennes jumped three places to 12th with a 3-0 win over Brest.

The surprise front runners early in the campaign, Brest have now won just once in their last eight league matches and slip to 10th on the table following their latest reverse.

Goals from defenders David Ducourtioux and Milan Bisevac put the hosts two goals ahead inside 22 minutes at the Stade Nungesser.

Front-man Gregory Pujol wrapped up the scoring on 69 minutes.

Mon 14 February, 2011

Lille keep title aspirations in check

Arch-rivals at opposite ends of the table, league leaders Lille and relegation-threatened Lens square off in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Lille are unbeaten in eight games and looking for their fifth consecutive victory when they take to the field at the Stadium Lille Metropole.

Their run has taken them four points clear of the chasing pack, but Paris Saint-Germain, Rennes and Lyon are all poised to pounce on a slip from the leaders.

Centre-back Adil Rami, capped six times for France, insists the squad are reluctant to consider mounting a sustained challenge for the championship.

“It’s not like us to say that we’re fighting for the title,” Rami said.

“There are more traditionally successful teams than ours. So we remain humble, it’s a victory for us to be here among many others and now we have to carry on working and going forward.”

Forwards Moussa Sow and Gervais Gervinho have been influential this season, scoring 15 and 10 goals respectively.

But they have been ably assisted by Belgian Eden Hazard, who was singled out for special praise by coach Rudi Garcia.

“We expect a lot from these talented players, on their capacities to be decisive,” Garcia said.

“He’s been decisive these last two games and that’s great, for sure.”

Struggling at the other end of the table this season, Lens have won two games in a row to move clear of the relegation zone, including a come-from-behind 2-1 win over St Etienne.

They also beat Caen 2-0, but are still only one point clear of the bottom three.

“What we did is super important,” defender Franck Queudrue said.

“Already to have come from behind against St Etienne and (winning) against Caen, grabbing six points and exiting the relegation zone.”

Lens’ mini-revival has been prompted by the arrival of new coach Laszlo Boloni, who will have his work cut out for him as he attempts to make it three wins from three up against the in-form table toppers.

Sat 29 January, 2011

Lille keep title aspirations in check

Arch-rivals at opposite ends of the table, league leaders Lille and relegation-threatened Lens square off in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Lille are unbeaten in eight games and looking for their fifth consecutive victory when they take to the field at the Stadium Lille Metropole.

Their run has taken them four points clear of the chasing pack, but Paris Saint-Germain, Rennes and Lyon are all poised to pounce on a slip from the leaders.

Centre-back Adil Rami, capped six times for France, insists the squad are reluctant to consider mounting a sustained challenge for the championship.

“It’s not like us to say that we’re fighting for the title,” Rami said.

“There are more traditionally successful teams than ours. So we remain humble, it’s a victory for us to be here among many others and now we have to carry on working and going forward.”

Forwards Moussa Sow and Gervais Gervinho have been influential this season, scoring 15 and 10 goals respectively.

But they have been ably assisted by Belgian Eden Hazard, who was singled out for special praise by coach Rudi Garcia.

“We expect a lot from these talented players, on their capacities to be decisive,” Garcia said.

“He’s been decisive these last two games and that’s great, for sure.”

Struggling at the other end of the table this season, Lens have won two games in a row to move clear of the relegation zone, including a come-from-behind 2-1 win over St Etienne.

They also beat Caen 2-0, but are still only one point clear of the bottom three.

“What we did is super important,” defender Franck Queudrue said.

“Already to have come from behind against St Etienne and (winning) against Caen, grabbing six points and exiting the relegation zone.”

Lens’ mini-revival has been prompted by the arrival of new coach Laszlo Boloni, who will have his work cut out for him as he attempts to make it three wins from three up against the in-form table toppers.

Sat 29 January, 2011

Nice vs Lille 0-2 Ligue 1 Highlights Video

Jan 16, 2011

OGC Nice 0-2 Lille OSC

French Ligue 1- January 15, 2010

Final score :- Nice 0-2 Lille ( Gervinho, Sow)

Goals (buts) in either half from Gervinho and Sow gives Ligue 1 leaders Lille OSC a 2-0 win away at Nice as the league resumes after the winter break.

Nice vs Lille 0-1 ( Gervinho goal)

Nice 0-2 Lille ( Sow goal)

Ligue 1 wrap: Lille top as chasing pack falter

Paris St Germain, Rennes and Lyon all missed chances to lead Ligue 1 heading into the Christmas break on Wednesday.

That leaves Lille to top French football before a three-week winter hiatus for the first time since 1949, despite being held to a 1-1 draw with St Etienne at home.

Senegal striker Moussa Sow’s goal looked to have won the three points for the hosts but Bakary Sako smashed home a penalty with 14 minutes remaining to ensure proceedings finished level.

The trio of chasing clubs all failed to take advantage of Lille’s draw as PSG lost 2-0 to Nancy, Rennes went down 1-0 to Caen and Lyon drew 1-1 with Auxerre.

A second-half double from Moroccan striker Youssouf Hadji kept Nancy’s unbeaten run of five matches alive and saw them move further away from the relegation zone.

Rennes remain third despite their defeat at struggling relegation candidates Caen.

Romain Hamouma’s ninth-minute goal snapped a 12-match winless streak in all competitions for the newly promoted side and put a serious dent in what has been a superb first half of the season for Rennes.

Lyon joined the others in missing a chance to go top with a home draw against Auxerre.

Jean Mignot’s 45th-minute own goal looked to have given Lyon the initiative but Julien Quercia’s second-half strike ensured both sides would share the spoils.

In other matches, Chu-Young Park’s injury-time winner gave Monaco a 2-1 victory over Sochaux while Valenciennes won by the same scoreline against Toulouse, thanks to goals from Brou Angoua and Gael Danic.

Arles and Nice played out a goalless draw while Brest and Marseille also failed to score.

Bordeaux fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with relegation candidates Lens to move up to eighth on the table.

Wed 22 December, 2010

Ligue 1 wrap: Lille top as chasing pack falter

Paris St Germain, Rennes and Lyon all missed chances to lead Ligue 1 heading into the Christmas break on Wednesday.

That leaves Lille to top French football before a three-week winter hiatus for the first time since 1949, despite being held to a 1-1 draw with St Etienne at home.

Senegal striker Moussa Sow’s goal looked to have won the three points for the hosts but Bakary Sako smashed home a penalty with 14 minutes remaining to ensure proceedings finished level.

The trio of chasing clubs all failed to take advantage of Lille’s draw as PSG lost 2-0 to Nancy, Rennes went down 1-0 to Caen and Lyon drew 1-1 with Auxerre.

A second-half double from Moroccan striker Youssouf Hadji kept Nancy’s unbeaten run of five matches alive and saw them move further away from the relegation zone.

Rennes remain third despite their defeat at struggling relegation candidates Caen.

Romain Hamouma’s ninth-minute goal snapped a 12-match winless streak in all competitions for the newly promoted side and put a serious dent in what has been a superb first half of the season for Rennes.

Lyon joined the others in missing a chance to go top with a home draw against Auxerre.

Jean Mignot’s 45th-minute own goal looked to have given Lyon the initiative but Julien Quercia’s second-half strike ensured both sides would share the spoils.

In other matches, Chu-Young Park’s injury-time winner gave Monaco a 2-1 victory over Sochaux while Valenciennes won by the same scoreline against Toulouse, thanks to goals from Brou Angoua and Gael Danic.

Arles and Nice played out a goalless draw while Brest and Marseille also failed to score.

Bordeaux fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with relegation candidates Lens to move up to eighth on the table.

Wed 22 December, 2010