Montpellier HSC continued their strong recent run of form away to Toulouse FC on Friday afternoon, winning 2-1 at the Stade Municipal.The two sides entered the match safe from relegation, but with both still holding on to a small chance of finishing in the European places. The hosts were playing without injured starting goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, as well as the suspended Arnaud Nordin and Lucas Mincarelli. Toulouse had no absences, and were able to name a nearly unchanged side a week on from their win over FC Lorient.

The hosts were able to control the opening stages of the match well, and almost took the lead just six minutes in, as Dimitry Bertaud, in for Lecomte, had to be sharp off his line. Toulouse continued to press for an opener, winning a series of corners, but were unable to beat Bertaud. After resisting the hosts' initial attack, it was La Paillade's turn to go on the attack, as they scored from a brilliantly executed counterattack. Getting on the end of a pass from Issiaga Sylla, Téji Savanier opened the scoring with a powerful volley from just inside the box, an impressive strike that took him on to nine league goals for the season. 

Téji Savanier with a BANGER for Montpellier 💫💥 pic.twitter.com/Sbi7BScq24

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 3, 2024

Undeterred by conceding, Toulouse offered an immediate response with a fine goal of their own, as Cristián Casseres' cross from the left was met by Thijs Dallinga, the Dutchman leveling the match with a powerful header. They might have taken the lead five minutes later, too, had Bertaud not been sharp again to keep out a well-struck effort by Nicklas Schmidt. The hosts then had a goal ruled out for offside, and the match entered halftime with the two sides level.

Ten minutes into the second half, the hosts thought they had the lead, but again the flag went up. Finally, the tide seemed to have turned for Les Violets, though, as Savanier was sent off midway through the second half for a foul off the ball. Despite continuing to dominate play, Toulouse were caught cold in the match's final minutes as substitute Khalil Fayad scrambled home a loose ball to seal a 2-1 win. Toulouse slipped behind their opponents on the day with the loss, with Montpellier moving above them on goal difference into 11th place, having saved a season that has looked troubled following a 6-2 loss to PSG.

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