Relegation contenders Bordeaux pulled a 3-1 win out of the bag in their relegation six-pointer against Metz, Ui-Jo Hwang and Mbaye Niang among the goals as Les Girondins leapfrogged Les Grenats into 19th place.
THE MATCH
Bordeaux were stuck bottom of the table without a win in eight matches heading into this crunch clash against fellow relegation contenders Metz at the MATMUT Atlantique on Sunday afternoon, but a strong showing from David Guion's men gave a glimpse of hope seven matches from the end of the season.
It started out very differently, however, when Cameroonian striker Didier Lamkel Zé - freshly arrived from Russia on a specially sanctioned transfer - opened the scoring for the away side, nodding home from Nicolas De Préville's cross (21').
But the second half saw Bordeaux click in to gear, with wing-back Ricardo Mangas clattering home a deflected shot (52') before Mbaye Niang got Les Girondins in front as he tackled Gideon Mensah's cross home from close range (68').
Metz had every intention of levelling it back up, with Thomas Delaine - who struck when Metz beat Bordeaux last season - carving out a clear-cut sight on goal only able to blaze over. But Bordeaux were not to be denied and made sure of the points two minutes from time when South Korean superstar Ui-Jo Hwang struck with the simplest of finishes after Metz 'keeper Marc-Aurèle Caillard failed to collect a corner (88').
The win leaves Bordeaux just a point shy of Saint-Etienne in the play-off spot (18th), while Metz - with out a win in ten matches (six defeats) - slump to the bottom of the table.
THE PLAYER: Ui-jo Hwang
The South Korean is of critical importance to Bordeaux's survival hopes. The club's top scorer with 11 Ligue 1 Uber Eats goals this campaign, Hwang can be unplayable on his day - Bordeaux's last win came 4-3 over Strasbourg back in Round 22 when he bagged a hat-trick - and Les Girondins will be looking to his cutting edge to get them over the line as relegation looms.
THE STAT: 3
This win was just Bordeaux's third at home this season - the others having come against Reims (3-2 in Round 12) and Strasbourg (4-3 in Round 22) - after five draws and eight defeats.
