Lille becomes the new leader, Lyon finally victorious against Strasbourg

Lille reigns over the derby and Ligue 1: 4-0 winner of an RC Lens reduced to nine, Losc took the lead in the French championship during the 7^e day, marked Sunday, October 18 by the start of Lyon, jostled in Strasbourg (3-2) but finally victorious, two months later.

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  Lille, the new boss of Ligue 1

Even without its supporters due to the health curfew, Lille (1^er) drastically beat his neighbor and rival Lens (5^e) at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in a derby where the stake was first place.

Strong behind, clinics in front, Lille sent the surprising promoted Lensois with a head of Burak Yilmaz (11^e), then a recovery alone in the area of ​​Jonathan Bamba (48^e), decisive passer on the third and fourth goals signed Jonathan Ikoné (69^e) and Yusuf Yazici (79^e).

Hard return to earth for Lens after a successful start to the season: if Racing had some flashes, it could hardly hope for better after the exclusions of Jonathan Gradit (57^e) and Clément Michelin (75^e).

By winning the first derby played since 2015, the Mastiffs take the leader’s chair with 17 points, two more than Paris SG (2^e) and Rennes (3^e). Above all, Losc remain the only unbeaten team in Ligue 1 with Stade Rennes, auspicious before returning to the Europa League on Thursday against Sparta Prague.

• Nice goes on, Montpellier frustrates Monaco

It is tightening in the race for Europe: only three points separate Nice (4^e) and Angers (11^e) in the standings and the Niçois made one of the good operations of the weekend by beating 3-1 a direct competitor, Saint-Etienne (10^e).

“Our workforce can be ambitious in the European Cup”Nice coach Patrick Vieira promised before tackling the Europa League on Thursday in Leverkusen.

At the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, the “Gym” won on two blunders from Stéphanois goalkeeper Jessy Moulin exploited by Pierre Lees-Melou (8^e) and Amine Gouiri (30^e). Saint-Etienne reduced the mark by Adil Aouchiche (57^e) but the Greens then pushed in vain before being punished by Myziane Maolida (90^e+1).

The Aiglons also benefit from the draw (1-1) obtained in Monaco by Montpellier, which resisted well to ten after the early exclusion of Téji Savanier (19^e). A penalty converted by Wissam Ben Yedder (70^e), sound 4^e goal this season in Ligue 1, responded to a solitary ride from Stephy Mavididi (51^e), and the two clubs remain tied at 7^e and 8^e seats (11 pts).

After five games without winning (4 draws, one defeat), Rudi Garcia’s team finally returned to success on Sunday in Strasbourg.

In a frenzied meeting, OL led 3-0 thanks to Tino Kadewere (12^e) then a double from Karl Toko Ekambi (25^e, 42^e), and three assists from Memphis Depay. But Strasbourg reduced the mark with Habib Diallo (43^e) and Jean-Eudes Aholou (55^e) before pushing the Lyonnais into their entrenchments.

Anyway, the Gones go back to the 9^e rank (10 pts). What regain confidence before facing in quick succession Monaco, Lille and Saint-Etienne. “We managed to score three goals and win this match which puts us a little higher in the standings and which announces good prospects”, relished Karl Toko Ekambi.

• Nantes listens to Gourcuff, Antonetti finds Metz

At the bottom of the ranking, Christian Gourcuff had spoken of“Urgency to take points” and Nantes (15^e) listened to him. The canary team won against Brest (3-1) its second victory of the season, the first since the end of August, thanks to Randal Kolo Muani (16^e), Ludovic Blas (30^e) and Kader Bamba (79^e).

On the side of Metz (14^e), Frédéric Antonetti, general manager who stayed away from the field for a long time, resumed his role as N.1 coach on Sunday. And the Metz dynamic remains positive with a 1-1 draw reported from Angers: Thomas Mangani’s penalty for the SCO (38^e) before the equalization of Opa Nguette … of the knee (39^e).