Frustrated by the draw conceded on Sunday in Lille (1-1), PSG ended the year with an expected victory against Metz (3-1). Luis Enrique, who surprised again by aligning Lee and Zaire-Emery as pistons, saw his team make the difference upon returning from the locker room, after a rather ordinary first period. Vitinha opened the scoring by beating Oukidja from close range (49th) while Mbappé, kept in front, scored twice during the last half hour (60th, 83rd). The Parisian star, notably author of a superb curling shot to double the lead, celebrated his 25th birthday perfectly. Especially since his little brother Ethan made his first appearance in Ligue 1 during added time. The Metz goal signed by Udol from a corner (72nd) did not spoil the evening for PSG, well established at the top of the standings with five points ahead of Nice.
Still five points behind the Parisian leader, Nice has long been put in difficulty by Lens on its lawn, and took advantage of the entry of Moffi to win via a double from its Nigerian (2-0). Undefeated at home, the Aiglons were patient, especially after the interruption at the start of the game following smoke bombs from their own supporters, but above all to wait for the entry of Moffi: the former Lorient player scored a penalty (76th) then took advantage of a service from Boga to double the lead (78th).
End of series for OM. Winner of its last four matches in Ligue 1, the Marseille club was slowed down on the La Mosson pitch (1-1). In a generally balanced match, the Marseillais missed their start by quickly conceding the opener, signed by Fayad from a corner (14th). Led and mishandled, Gennaro Gattuso’s men finally reacted and were able to catch up at the start of the second, on a header from Veretout receiving a good cross from Clauss (52nd). The two teams neutralized each other during the end of the match which was interrupted for almost five minutes, following the use of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices in the stands.
Monaco retained its third place with the benefit of its victory in Toulouse (1-2). Quickly led after the opening of Magri (5th), ASM turned the tide thanks to Ben Yedder. The Monegasque captain, back in the starting lineup, scored a double on the pitch of his training club, first scoring plenty of opportunism (26th), then converting a penalty obtained by Balogun (44th) . Quickly reduced to ten after the expulsion of Golovin (51st), the Principality club suffered throughout the second act, but ultimately resisted the messy assaults of Téfécé.
Christmas before its time at Francis-Le Blé. During a one-sided Breton derby, Brest made short work of Lorient (4-0). Eric Roy’s men made the difference in the first period, thanks to the unexpected quadruplet scored by Kamory Doumbia (22nd, 25th, 29th, 45th 3). The Malian international, in full euphoria, punished Merlus who were defenseless and in the midst of a crisis of confidence. Author of a first part of the full season, the SB29 ends this first phase in fourth place. At the other end of the ranking, Lorient is languishing in a worrying seventeenth place.
A defeat with a very bitter taste for Lille. As irregular as ever, Losc let slip a match that seemed promised to them. Especially since Sylla’s CSC launched the Mastiffs perfectly (21st). But Racing took advantage of the opponent’s relaxation to turn everything around. Emegha, on the verge of offside, equalized at the end of the first period (41st). LMwanga was responsible for offering a third consecutive success to the Alsatians by deceiving Chevalier in force (77th). Beaten three days after hanging on to PSG (1-1), Lille lost ground on the podium (five points behind Monaco).
The Rémois were reassured by winning against Le Havre (1-0), thanks to an achievement from Nakamura (25th). The Champenois feverishly returned to victory after their last two defeats, and were able to rely on their numerical superiority following the expulsion of Ndiaye (22nd) on the Norman side.
Sick, Stade Rennais reassures itself by winning on the lawn of the red lantern, Clermont (3-1). Trailing following Nicholson’s early opener (4th), the Rouge et Noir took advantage of their numerical superiority following Caufriez’s red card (45th) to equalize via Kalimuendo (57th), then win via Doué (87th). ) and Blas (90th 7, n.p.)
After their victory (1-0) against Monaco on Friday, the Lyonnais have a third consecutive victory against Nantes (1-0), a first this season, and leave the red zone. They move up to 15th place, and give a little more credit to Pierre Sage, the interim coach confirmed at the start of the week by John Textor. After a soporific first period, it was Lacazette, like a symbol, who scored the only goal of the game on an offering from Cherki (50th).
