PARIS: Firing coach Jocelyn Gourvennec had an immediate impact on Girondins Bordeaux, who moved four points away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at Nantes in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Under caretaker coach Eric Bedouet, who was put in temporary charge on Thursday following Gourvennec’s departure, Bordeaux had the best chances in a display of attacking football and won thanks to Nicolas De Preville’s goal in the 26th minute.

De Preville cut behind a defender in the area to connect with a precise cross from Youssouf Sabaly and plant a firm header past goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Bedouet’s interim mission did not last long as Bordeaux announced after the game the appointment of Gus Poyet as its new permanent coach.

Nantes remained in fifth place despite two losses in their last three league matches but they only have a three-point advantage over Montpellier who won 2-1 at struggling Toulouse after Giovanni Sio scored in the dying seconds.

Sio made the most of a poor clearance from ‘keeper Alban Lafont, as the ball ricocheted off his chest before the 28-year-old forward sent it into the back off the net.

Giannelli Imbula had put visitors Toulouse ahead at the half-hour mark before Junior Sambia equalised as Toulouse played with 10 men for the entire second half following Max-Alain Gradel’s dismissal in the 41st minute.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2018