Montpellier edge past Strasbourg, Lorient extend winning streak
PARIS: Teji Savanier blasted home a penalty with almost the last kick of the game to git Montpellier the three points.
Arnaud Nordin’s header from Savanier’s corner looked to have gited Montpellier the three points, but a late Habib Diallo equaliser looked to have salvaged a point for Strasbourg, before Savanier’s last-gasp heroics.
Montpellier Julien Stepan’s side look unrecognisable from last season, when they were European challengers. With a record of five draws and three losses, they remain in the relegation zone. Montpellier meanwhile, ended a two-game losing streak to rise – temporarily – back up to sixth.
Montpellier’s main threat came from set-pieces and from Savanier. He has an incredible ability to consistently find the right zones from dead-ball situations. He set up Nordin for the opener and found his teammates on numerous other occasions. Late in the first half, an inswinging cross found Nordin’s head again, and his flick-on was bundled in by Cozza, only for the offside flag to save Strasbourg. He kept his cool to slot home the penalty in the dying seconds of the game. A goal, an assist, and a near flawless game.
Dango Ouatara scored again as Lorient extended their best start by beating promoted Auxerre 3-1 on Friday.
Ater escaping relegation with one game to spare last season, Lorient have turned around their fortunes under new coach Regis Le Bris. The club’s atacking approach has been rewarded with six wins from its eight opening matches.
Ouatara has delivered four assists and scored four goals. He put his team in the driving seat in the 15th minute then Terem Moffi and Enzo Le Fee gave the visitors a comfortable 3-0 haltime lead.
Gauthier Hein pulled one back ater the interval for Auxerre, which is 12 points off the pace.