Sunday, February 2, 2020

Ligue 1: Kasper Dolberg strikes twice in Nice's win over Lyon; second-placed Marseille falter as PSG increase lead to 12 points

Paris: Kasper Dolberg scored twice as Nice beat seven-time champions Lyon 2-1 on Sunday to move level on points with their French league rival.

Lyon's first league defeat this year left both clubs on 32 points, far behind league leader Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG tops the standings with 55 points, after thrashing Montpellier 5-0 on Saturday, and have a 12-point lead over Marseille who were again frustrated at Bordeaux.

Lyon were reduced to 10 men in the 24th minute following Fernando Marçal's dismissal and struggled afterwards. Their goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu kept Lyon in the match with a series of good saves but could not block a shot from Pierre Lees-Melou in the 33rd, with Dolberg finding the net from the rebound.

Karl Toko-Ekambi leveled just before the interval against the run of play as Nice also lost a player when Adam Ounas received a second yellow card for shoving Marcelo in the 45th.

But the hosts kept dominating in the second half and were rewarded for their perseverance when Dolberg converted a cross from Hicham Boudaoui in the 63rd for his eighth league goal this season.

Marseille held again

Looking for a first victory in Bordeaux in 42 years, second-place Marseille failed again in their bid to secure three points at their southwestern rival.

Bordeaux, which extended their unbeaten run at home against the nine-time champions to 35 matches, had the best chances and hit the crossbar in a mostly uninspiring encounter.

Marseille 'keeper Steve Mandanda was decisive three minutes from time with a diving save to his left that denied Pablo's goalbound header.

Also Sunday, Opa Nguette scored a brace as Metz beat Saint-Etienne 3-1 to claim a third straight league win.



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