Ligue 1 round-up: Marseille's winless run extends to five games
Monday 19 October 2015 08:20, UK
Marseille's winless run in Ligue 1 was extended to five games as they were held 1-1 at home by in-form Lorient.
The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute when Francois Bellugou handled inside the area and Michy Batshuayi dispatched the resulting penalty for his eighth goal of the season.
Michel's team failed to hold onto their advantage, though, and Lorient - with four wins in five games before this match - levelled before the break when Benjamin Moukandjo outmuscled Nicolas N'Koulou before prodding home from a long ball.
The result leaves Marseille in 16th place, with nine points from their opening 10 games, while Lorient sit ninth on 15 points.
Bordeaux suffered frustration as Montpellier repelled a string of chances to a take a point from a goalless draw that did little to help either side's position in Ligue 1.
Bordeaux, six points better off than their visitors though still down in 14th place, dominated the match but could not find a way to beat Laurent Pionnier.
Hatem Ben Arfa netted his fifth goal in three matches as Nice claimed a comfortable 4-1 Ligue 1 victory and ended Rennes' eight-match unbeaten run to move up to fifth.
Mathieu Bodmer opened the scoring for Nice 14 minutes in as he slotted Wallyson Mallmann's header into the bottom corner to hand Claude Puel's side the lead with his first goal of the season at Roazhon Park.
Mallmann fired over the bar as the visitors attempted to double their lead at the start of the second half and it did not take too long as Jean Seri set up Ben Arfa for their second goal after 53 minutes - the former Newcastle man finding the bottom corner from a tight angle.
Mahamane Traore made the points safe with 15 minutes remaining before Said Benrahma completed the scoring and Kamil Grosicki struck a late consolation for the hosts.
