Lille 1-2 Guingamp:
Lille dominated almost all of the first half, without really going all that close to opening the scoring, with Origi’s near post flick the closest they game. However, Guingamp hit them on the counter in the 45th minute as Yatabare crossed for Beauvue to score.
The second half saw Lille maintain a lot of possession of the ball (63% throughout the match), but once again it was Guingamp who took their chance. They worked a neat passing move to put Schwartz through on goal, and the striker made no mistake in slotting past Enyeama.
The tide soon began to turn for Lille though. They had an Origi goal disallowed for a marginal offside call, but went ahead soon afterwards as Mavuba scrapped home from close range. Angoua was then sent off for Guingamp, but the visitors held on for the last few minutes to claim a famous victory.
Metz 0-0 Rennes:
This was one of those games that really should not have finished 0-0… Both side tried everything to score, but the goalkeepers were in good form and kept everything out. Milan’s free kick and Doukoure’s late shot were the closest Metz came, while Rennes’ Grosicki and Henrique spurning the best chances for Rennes. A draw was the fair result in the end.
Monaco 2-0 Evian:
Monaco got off to a perfect start in this one as Evian were penalised for a very harsh handball in the 2nd minute, allowing Moutinho to convert from the spot and give his side an early lead. It could have been worse for Evian, as Traore and Ferreira Carrasco came close to doubling the lead before the break.
In the second half, Evian began to take control of the game, and came very close to scoring as first Subasic saved from Bruno, and then Moutinho headed off the line from an Evian corner. Then came the game-changing moment. Just as Evian were looking dangerous, Carvalho’s clearance bounced over the lead of Hansen, who completely misjudged the bounce, allowing Ferreira Carrasco to tap into an empty net. Monaco then closed out the game comfortably.
Nantes 1-1 Reims:
Reims dominated the first 10 minutes or so of this game, forcing Riou into a couple of good saves, but Nantes took the lead in the 13th minute. A free kick was cut back to Audel, who fired home from close range, and the first half was played out evenly by both sides from then on.
Nantes then continued to press early in the second half to go for the second, but they were undone up the other end by a sublime piece of skill. Diego curled a wonderful free kick into the top corner to level the scores, and set up a good finale for both sets of fans. Whilst both side came close to the winner, neither could quite take all 3 points.
Nice 0-1 Bastia:
Nice were on top for the majority of a first half in which there were limited chances. The closest either side came was Nice, who were a (correct) offside decision on Bosetti away from taking the lead around about the half hour mark.
The second half was far more entertaining. Bastia took the lead early in the second half after a shocker from Diawara, who swiped and missed at a clearance, allowing Ayite to burst through on goal and slot past the goalkeeper. Nice then pressed for the rest of the game, going close through Bautheac in particular, but Bastia held on for a crucial win.
