Ligue 1 returned from international break to another goal-fest, with 37 goals scored across the 10 matches, the highest total so far.
Five of those goals were scored at the Vélodrome where, in front of a fantastic crowd, Marseille and PSG played out a classic Classique. Marseille led 2-1 into the break thanks to a Gignac double but PSG eventually prevailed, winning 3-2 to maintain their place at the top of the table and relegating Marseille to five points behind.
Lyon remain second, a point behind Laurent Blanc’s men, as they bounced back from their defeat at home to Nice last time out with a 3-1 win at Guingamp, new international Fekir opening the scoring thanks to a Lössl ricket.
An under-strength Saint-Etienne battled to an impressive 1-1 draw at Monaco, in-form Anthony Martial scoring again for les Monégasques. Monaco are now only three points behind third-placed Marseille, with a game in hand.
Metz secured their first win since 1 November with a 3-2 win over Toulouse, Maiga scoring a hat-trick and Cartier’s men actually stringing some passes together. Amazing what confidence can do for you. Pity it’s about four months too late.
Both teams remain in the relegation zone along with Lens, who again showed a lot of heart but lost 2-1 at Bordeaux, all the goals coming in the final 10 minutes.
Hovering just above the bottom three are Lorient, who were put to the sword by visiting Rennes in the Breton derby, losing 3-0, and downwardly-mobile Reims, who were beaten 3-1 at Lille, for whom Origi scored one, after having a penalty saved after he’d won an argument with Boufal to take it.
Caen began the day level on points with Reims but shot up to twelfth place with a 2-1 win at Nantes. Point to note – Audel’s hilarious dive to try to get away with not conceding a penalty (failed). Lemar scored Caen’s last-second winner. Which just goes to show what happens if you Don’t Give It Up.
No such issues for Montpellier, who scored two spot kicks in three minutes to come back from a goal down to beat Bastia, also 3-1.
Nice and Evian, meanwhile, shared the points after an entertaining 2-2 draw on the south coast. Point to note – N’Sikulu’s Audelesque dive to win a penalty, which Pouplin saved, which takes us back to Lemar…
Player of the week, for his hat-trick to lead Metz to their first win in 18 matches, is Modibo Maiga. Joining him in the week’s XI are:
Goals of the Week
Although there were lots of goals to choose from, not too many of them were real spectacles. Gignac’s first was not bad – a long-range one-two with Payet, involving two great passes and a bullet header. N’Jie’s goal for Lyon was a great counter-attack and a lovely finish. And we were tempted to include Martial’s volley, but we think he shinned it.
In third place is Modibo Maiga’s second for Metz. Collecting a short pass infield from Bussmann, a slight dummy and quick footwork embarrassed Spajic, who ended up falling backwards, giving Maiga the space to power high into the net at the near post.
In second place is Nicolas De Preville’s consolation for Reims. A simple but sweet free kick, curled past Enyeama into the far corner.
This week’s winner is Blaise Matuidi’s goal for PSG. A simple move upfield progressed as Motta played the ball to Matuidi on the edge of the area. There didn’t seem to be too much danger as Matuidi moved to his left to be met by three OM defenders. So he turned back onto his weaker right foot and hit a beautiful curling shot which flew just out of reach of Mandanda’s despairing dive and in off the far post.
Cup action is the order of the week ahead, with the Coupe de France semi-finals taking place as Auxerre host Guingamp on Tuesday and Saint-Etienne travel to PSG on Wednesday. Monaco and Montpellier also play their game in hand on Tuesday. Then next Saturday evening PSG meet Bastia in the Coupe de la Ligue final. The rest of Ligue 1 is in action on Friday and Sunday, including Caen vs Monaco, Rennes vs Guingamp and Bordeaux vs Marseille. @FrenchFtWeekly and @FFW_Live will, as ever, provide extensive live coverage.