Monaco go top despite Dijon stalemate
PARIS: Monaco took provisional top spot of Ligue 1 on Tuesday despite Europe’s best attacking side conceding a late goal in a 1-1 stalemate in Dijon.
A Frederic Sammaritano equaliser snatched a point for the hosts three minutes from time after Monaco had led early following Guido Carrillo’s 17th minute goal.
Monaco -- the most prolific side in Europe’s big five leagues with an average of over three goals scored per game -- are level on 33 points with Nice, but ahead on goal difference.
Nice can regain the lead when they travel to Guingamp on Wednesday with reigning champions Paris Saint Germain third, a point behind, and hosting Angers at Parc des Princes.
In Tuesday’s other Ligue 1 games, Rennes coach Christian Gourcuff saw as his side slip 21 at former club Lorient as Lille moved clear of the relegation zone with a 4-2 win against Caen.
Monaco extended their run to nine games without defeat in all competitions.
Argentine striker Carrillo who found the way through early at the Stade Gaston Gerard picking up a Djibril Sidibe shot which had been badly cleared by goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet for his sixth Ligue 1 goal.
Until the equaliser Dijon had few shots at goal despite dominating most of the second half. They remain unbeaten at home since the opening game of the season and are sitting 14th with 15 points.
Gourcuff coached Lorient over two stints between 1982 and 2014, but despite his inside knowledge, his side were trailing after 28 minutes when Michaël Ciani headed Lorient ahead.
Ghanian international Abdul Majeed Waris scored the winner just after the break to give new Lorient coach Bernard Casoni his first victory to end a series of seven winless games.
Ivorian striker Giovanni Sio had reduced arrears after 32 minutes, but Rennes’ fourth position is now under threat from a pursuing trio of Guingamp, Bordeaux and Lyon.
“It’s not losing (against Lorient) it’s not having played,” said a frustrated Gourcuff. “There’s no excuse. Coming out of a match like that I’m happy to have 24 points because all I can say is we’re not clear of relegation.”
In Lille, interim coach Patrick Collot, who replaced the sacked Frederic Antonetti a week ago, rekindled his side. - AFP