FOOTBALL NEWS FROM Ligue 1
Marseille played out a draw with Valenciennes
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On the night Lille were crowned as Ligue 1 champions, their nearest challengers Marseille played out a draw with Valenciennes.

Having been Lille`s strongest competition over recent weeks, Marseille knew the game was up a week ago, and this result was becoming of a side who had had the stuffing knocked out of them.

The draw does have repercussions for Valenciennes, though, who will go into next weekend`s final round of fixtures just one point clear of the drop zone.

Three of the four goals came inside three first-half minutes, with Foued Kadir giving Valenciennes the lead, only for Andre Ayew and Loic Remy to respond for Marseille.

But Remi Gomis gave Valenciennes a precious point midway through the second half to give his side a fighting chance of survival.

Ayew was the first to chance his arm, drawing a 14th-minute save from Nicolas Penneteau, before Valenciennes took the lead.

Good interplay between Gregory Pujol and Renaud Cohade set Kadir free and he slotted in with ease.

But Marseille hit back immediately, with Ayew slamming home at the far post after Souleymane Diawara`s free-kick had been flicked on by Mathieu Valbuena.

The impressive Valbuena then drilled in a corner that Remy converted with a diving header to give his side the lead.

Marseille had the chance to improve that lead after the break, but Remy was unable to cash in after finding himself free in the box.

That miss allowed Valenciennes to get back into the game, with Gomis getting into the box and slamming in after tracking David Ducourtioux`s cross.

Remy had a header blocked by Benjamin Brou Angua as Marseille went looking for a winner but it was not to be.