|
PARIS: Montpellier claimed the first French league title in theirhistory after winning 2-1 at Auxerre on an extraordinary final dayof the season on Sunday, after a game twice delayed due to protestsby the home fans. Second-placed Paris Saint-Germain did all they could by winning 2-1at Lorient, and the delays at Auxerre meant that Rene Girard's sidehad to endure a nervous wait before their title success wasconfirmed. Montpellier finished the season three points clear of PSG in thefinal standings, which gave the southern club -- 14th in Ligue 1last season -- their first major honour since the 1990 French Cup. "I think it's deserved," said Montpellier coach Girard amid scenesof jubilation on the pitch at Auxerre following the final whistle. "It was a huge fight right until the end. Looking at the number ofpoints, you have to say that the three teams at the top(Montpellier, PSG and Lille) have had extraordinary seasons." There was no hint of the drama to come when Auxerre broke thedeadlock in the 20th minute at Stade Abbe Deschamps, with OlivierKapo heading home from a corner. A defeat was the only means by which Montpellier could have beendenied the title but they equalised in the 32nd minute when JohnUtaka converted a low right-wing cross from Souleymane Camara. The Auxerre fans' protest at their relegation -- which saw themthrow tennis balls and toilet rolls onto the pitch -- began at thestart of the second period and forced the players to return to thechanging rooms. When play resumed, Montpellier were 19 minutes behind theLorient-PSG game, and with PSG winning, the leaders were leftliving on their nerves. Goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren repelled a powerful drive from DelvinN'Dinga before flares thrown by Auxerre's fans obliged the playersto leave the pitch again and led to a second delay lasting around20 minutes. With PSG's players watching on television from Lorient, riot policebegan to clear the protesting fans from the stand behind theMontpellier goal and play was able to resume. There were still 16 minutes to play, but Utaka calmed the visitingfans' nerves in the 76th minute when he swivelled to slam home hissecond goal and take the title to Stade de la Mosson for the veryfirst time. Montpellier's Olivier Giroud finished as the top scorer in Ligue 1,ending the season level with PSG's Nene on 21 goals but prevailingby virtue of having scored fewer penalties. PSG needed to win to stand any chance of winning the title, butthey fell behind in the 28th minute at Lorient when KevinMonnet-Paquet ghosted in behind Zoumana Camara to score with aback-post header. Carlo Ancelotti's men equalised in the 61st minute through recordsigning Javier Pastore and claimed victory through Thiago Mottawith 15 minutes left, but although PSG had done their job, it wasnot enough to deny Montpellier their day in the sun. "I'm disappointed that we haven't won the title but the team hasdone some good work this season, even though we've had difficultiesin certain matches," said Ancelotti. "Montpellier had a great season, as did PSG, and it's good to be inthe Champions League because it's a strong league." Elsewhere, Bordeaux won 3-2 at Saint-Etienne to pip their opponentsto fifth place and a berth in the Europa League, with Rennesconsigned to sixth despite a 5-0 thrashing of Dijon that sent thepromoted side into Ligue 2. Caen were also relegated after going down 3-1 at Valenciennes. Eden Hazard bade farewell to outgoing champions Lille by netting afirst-half hat-trick in a 4-1 win at home to Nancy in his finalgame for the club. - AFP/fa. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Flexible Led Ribbon Light , Outdoor Led Flood Light Fixtures Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits T5 Led Tube Lights.
Related Articles -
Flexible Led Ribbon Light, Outdoor Led Flood Light Fixtures Manufacturer,
|
