By Jeremy Smith
Paris Saint-Germain scored yet another late goal to salvage a draw at home to Bordeaux this evening, but Carlo Ancelotti and his team will see it as two points dropped, as they concede first place to Monpellier.
PSG began with Nene, Pastore and Menez supporting Hoarau up front, whilst Bordeaux were led by Maurice-Belay and Cheick Diabate, promising an entertaining, attack-minded match. The first half was a relatively open affair, with play moving from end to end, albeit without too many clear chances created. The game threatened to spark into life around the half-hour mark when Alex contrived to miss a very scorable header from a Nene free kick from the left, while Bordeaux went straight up the field, with a Plasil shot bringing a sharp Sirigu save.
Much simmering then, but the game failed to ignite and the first half went to type: Bordeaux playing more as a team, PSG relying on individual flashes from Menez and Nene, but not many well worked team moves in evidence. Arguably the highlight of the half was watching the diminutive referee Lionel Jaffredo strutting around with a serious Napoleon complex.
It seemed that both Ancelotti and Francis Gillot had strong words to say during the break as the second half was a far more exciting affair, played at a much quicker pace. PSG made most of the running and had the earlier chances, a long-range Momo Sissoko shot almost squirming under Cedric Carrasso, and a shot and a header from the rejuvenated Guillaue Hoarau coming close. Speedy counter-attacks from Bordeaux were keeping PSG honest however, one such attack ending with Jaroslav Plasil smashing a shot against the bar. Ancelotti saw the need to make a change, but surprisingly took off the bright Nene, rather than the ineffective Pastore, for Kevin Gameiro.
It was Bordeaux who made the breakthrough on 77 minutes, though, a beautiful through-ball by Obraniak setting Maurice-Belay free. He unselfishly squared for Diabate to put les Girondins ahead. The lead lasted only 4 minutes however, as a peach of a back-heel from Bodmer allowed Hoarau to spring the off-side trap, and his shot had enough power to hit the back of the net, despite Carrasso getting his hand to it.
The equaliser set up a frantic last few minutes in which both teams had chances to win it, most notably Bordeaux, for whom substitute Ben Khalfallah missed Plasil’s searching cross by centimetres. But the final whistle blew seconds later on an entertaining match, which neither team quite did enough to merit the win, and which leaves PSG second to La Paillade only on goal difference, as both face tough away trips next week.
Elsewhere, Toulouse returned to fourth place and within three points of the Champions League places with a comfortable 1-0 victory over lanterne rouge Auxerre. The home team controlled the match in balmy conditions without ever needing to move into top gear. Franck Tabanou scored the only goal on 38 minutes, a great strike from the edge of the area into the top right-hand corner, leaving keeper Olivier Sorin stranded.
Anthony Le Tallec squandered the Bourguignons’ best chance in first half injury time, heading a Chafni corner wide. Toulouse were able to see out the win, no doubt conserving their energy for next week’s showdown with Lille. As for Auxerre, Jean-Guy Wallemme’s first match as manager ends in defeat, but it was always going to be tough to get a result away to one of the Ligue 1’s in-form teams. Next week’s match at home to Valenciennes, however, is a must-win, with Auxerre 5 points from safety.
Five points are also what now separate AJA’s Burgundian neighbours Dijon from the relegation zone, after their 2-0 home victory over fellow strugglers Caen. Both teams were coming off impressive results against two of the big guns last week, but whilst Dijon continued the form shown in beating OM, Caen showed little of the verve and creativity which helped them to a draw against PSG. Their defence certainly left a lot to be desired for both goals: in the 22nd minute Souprayen hit a speculative shot from the left which was in no danger of troubling the Caennais goal, but Koro Kone was left unmarked six yards out to divert the ball into the net.
Then in the 69th minute Benjamin Corgnet led a lightning break before feeding Eric Bautheac on the left, whose cross-shot was parried by Alexis Thebaux, for Sankhare to tap in. Caen showed little going forward and their frustrations threatened to boil over as they ended with four players on bookings and their assistant manager sent to the stands. They remain one place and one point above the relegation zone, before yet another 6-pointer against Ajaccio next week.