Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille both needed injury-time equalisers, Nice and Monaco recorded key victories in the fight for the podium whilst Saint-Etienne's new man at the helm was unable to inspire any Christmas cheer. Check out the action from Round 19 of Ligue 1 Uber Eats here!
Icardi late show rescues ten-man PSG
Mauro Icardi's injury-time header spared PSG’s blushes, as the runaway leaders drew 1-1 at Lorient.
Thomas Monconduit's superb strike put Les Merlus ahead (40') and it looked like Lorient were going to claim all-three points when PSG defender Sergio Ramos was given his marching orders five-minutes from time. But Icardi headed home from close-range to claim a point.
"It was a very difficult game for us," said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, who saw his side take a 13-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 Uber Eats, into the winter break. "I think overall it was a fair result. In the first half we didn’t play well but we deserved a point in the end."
Last-gasp Payet penalty saves OM
Marseille also left it late to salvage a point in their 1-1 draw with Reims at the Orange Vélodrome.
Hugo Ekitike silenced the Vélodrome by putting the visitors ahead (75'), and their hopes of a famous win were strengthened when OM striker Bamba Dieng was dismissed for a reckless challenge five-minutes from time..
But OM found an equaliser when Dimitri Payet converted a penalty in the eighth-minute of injury time, to escape with a point.
"I'm a little bit frustrated because we dominated the game," said Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli who saw his side relinquish second place as a result of the draw with Metz. "We had a very good first half and I'm not sure that Reims even entered our half of the pitch in the first 45 minutes. But what happened in the second half is becoming a theme for us, we must do better."
Monaco continue to climb
A Wissam Ben Yedder penalty (35') and a Kevin Volland header (72') were enough for Monaco to overcome Rennes 2-1 at the Stade Louis II.
Martin Terrier had put Bruno Genesio's men ahead (16') but an inspired Monaco fightback ensured the principality side got back to winning ways and wrapped up for the winter break in sixth place on the table.
"Tonight, we saw why Rennes have had such a good season so far,'' said Monaco coach Niko Kovac, whose side are beginning to show a consistent run of form. "My team showed a good attitude and character by coming from behind to win. We can now enjoy Christmas with a better mindset."
Nice back to winning ways
Nice ended a three-match home losing streak as they came from behind to beat Lens 2-1 at the Allianz Riviera.
In-form striker Arnaud Kalimuendo put Lens ahead (30') but just as they did last time out at Nantes, Lens squandered their advantage and goals from Mario Lemina (63') and Justin Kluivert (79') sent Les Aiglons back into second place on the table, with Lens dropping to ninth.
More frustration for Bosz
Lyon are without a win in four games after drawing 1-1 with struggling Metz at the Groupama Stadium.
Castello Lukeba headed the hosts in front (56') but the advantage was wiped out two-minutes later when Boubacar Traoré equalised for Metz. Lyon languish in 13th place at the halfway point of the season, whilst Metz occupy 18th.
David breaks Bordeaux hearts
Jonathan David scored his 12th goal of the season late on, to hand champions LOSC a 3-2 win at Bordeaux.
Goals from LOSC duo Benjamin Andre (33') and Burak Yilmaz (77') cancelled out Alberth Elis' brace for the hosts (17' & 45') before David sealed the points six-minutes from time to move Jocelyn Gourvennec's side, out of the bottom-half of the table and into 8th position.
Montpellier continue to impress
Montpellier continued their impressive run of form with a 4-1 win at home to Angers.
Goals from Téji Savanier (14'), Nicolas Cozza (30'), Mihailo Ristic (51') and Stephy Mavididi (76') were enough to sweep aside Gérald Baticle's men who themselves found the net through Mathias Pereira-Lage (45').
Tough start for Dupraz
New Saint-Étienne coach Pascal Dupraz watched on as his side were beaten 1-0 at home to Nantes.
Randal Kolo Muani's fine individual effort broke the deadlock for Les Canari's seven-minutes from time as Nantes climbed to 7th on the table, whilst Les Verts remain bottom of the pile.
Draw at Troyes
Troyes and Brest played out a 1-1 at the Stade de l’Aube.
Franck Honorat put Brest in front (6') but the visitors were unable to hold on to their lead and Adil Rami notched his second of the season for the Champagne club (80') to share the spoils.
Clermont vs Strasbourg
The fixture between Clermont and Strasbourg was postponed due to adverse weather conditions and will be replayed at a later date.
