FOOTBALL NEWS FROM LIGUE 1
Abriel late show pegs back OM
Fabrice Abriel's late volley rescued a point for Nice after they twice fell behind to Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.
The Ligue 1 leaders went into the match a point above Paris St Germain and took the lead just before the break through Andre Ayew.
Dario Cvitanich levelled the scores six minutes after the restart and although Mathieu Valbuena, who missed a first half spot-kick, put Marseille back in front Abriel was on hand two minutes from time to ensure Nice left with a point.
The home side started brightly and six minutes in Morgan Amalfitano picked out Benoit Cheyrou inside the area but he directed his header just wide of the left post.
Just before the half-hour mark Marseille had a golden chance to take the lead after Amalfitano was brought down by Kevin Gomis inside the area, but David Ospina dived right way and deflected the forward's effort away from danger.
Marseille however did take the lead 10 minutes later as Valbuena went some way to making amends for his penalty miss by providing a pinpoint cross for Ayew, who rose highest to glance a header beyond Ospina.
Steve Mandanda was called onto the action as the half drew to the close as he tipped a Cvitanich free-kick wide.
However the striker was to find the net just a minute after the break as he headed home a Valentin Eyserric cross.
Nice had a goal chalked off on the hour mark as Eyserric free-kick found the net, however the referee deemed that Cvitanich, who was standing in an offside position, had blocked the keeper's view.
Marseille had no such problems after 68 minutes when Ayew turned a Jeremy Morel delivery onto the crossbar where Valbuena was on hand to tap home.
Ayew tested Ospina with a powerful left-footed drive from 25 metres and that save was to prove crucial as Alexy Bosetti got in behind Rod Fanni on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross towards for Abriel to volley home.
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Fabrice Abriel's late volley rescued a point for Nice after they twice fell behind to Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.The Ligue 1 leaders went into the match a point above Paris St Germain and took the lead just before the break through Andre Ayew.
Dario Cvitanich levelled the scores six minutes after the restart and although Mathieu Valbuena, who missed a first half spot-kick, put Marseille back in front Abriel was on hand two minutes from time to ensure Nice left with a point.
The home side started brightly and six minutes in Morgan Amalfitano picked out Benoit Cheyrou inside the area but he directed his header just wide of the left post.
Just before the half-hour mark Marseille had a golden chance to take the lead after Amalfitano was brought down by Kevin Gomis inside the area, but David Ospina dived right way and deflected the forward's effort away from danger.
Marseille however did take the lead 10 minutes later as Valbuena went some way to making amends for his penalty miss by providing a pinpoint cross for Ayew, who rose highest to glance a header beyond Ospina.
Steve Mandanda was called onto the action as the half drew to the close as he tipped a Cvitanich free-kick wide.
However the striker was to find the net just a minute after the break as he headed home a Valentin Eyserric cross.
Nice had a goal chalked off on the hour mark as Eyserric free-kick found the net, however the referee deemed that Cvitanich, who was standing in an offside position, had blocked the keeper's view.
Marseille had no such problems after 68 minutes when Ayew turned a Jeremy Morel delivery onto the crossbar where Valbuena was on hand to tap home.
Ayew tested Ospina with a powerful left-footed drive from 25 metres and that save was to prove crucial as Alexy Bosetti got in behind Rod Fanni on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross towards for Abriel to volley home.