The Malta Independent 25 April 2024, Thursday
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French Ligue 1: Marseille held by Dijon; PSG chases 15th straight league win

Associated Press Sunday, 2 December 2018, 19:50 Last update: about 6 years ago

Following a crushing defeat in the Europa League, Marseille slipped up again when it drew 0-0 at home to Reims in the French league on Sunday.

Marseille lost 4-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday to drop bottom of its Europa League group, having reached the final of the competition last season.

Confidence seemed to be affected as Marseille labored against Reims and top scorer Florian Thauvin was kept quiet. Playmaker Dimitri Payet had a free kick well saved as Marseille dropped points in its quest to qualify for next season's Champions League.

The draw leaves Marseille in fifth place, one point behind fourth-place Lille, while Reims is ninth.

Later Sunday, runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain was aiming for a 15th straight league win when it travelled to Bordeaux.

OTHER MATCHES

Strasbourg moved up to eighth with an emphatic 4-1 win at Rennes after conceding early.

Rennes led 1-0 thanks to forward Ismaila Sarr's early goal, but Alsace side Strasbourg hit back with two penalties from midfielder Jonas Martin and a goal each from Adrien Thomasson and Pablo Martinez.

Toulouse had its goalkeeper sent off early on and went 2-0 down before rallying to draw 2-2 at home to fellow struggler Dijon.

Baptiste Reynet was sent off in the fifth minute and substitute goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea was immediately called into action, saving a free kick.

Dijon took the lead through Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd. The goal was initially disallowed for offside but given after a video review.

The visitors went 2-0 up in the 68th minute through midfielder Mehdi Abeid.

Forward Max-Alain Gradel gave Toulouse hope with a spectacular overhead kick shortly after, and Belgian striker Aaron Leya Iseka equalized in the 77th.

Toulouse is in 15th place, and Dijon is 17th.

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