PARIS: Montpellier made it nine games unbeaten in Ligue 1 and moved up to third place after goals from Gaetan Laborde and Andy Delort sealed a 2-0 win over Girondins Bordeaux on Sunday.

Montpellier have lost only once, at home to Dijon on the opening day, and have conceded just one goal at home in five games since that defeat. They lead fourth-placed Olympique Marseille on goal difference after Marseille moved level on 19 points from 10 games by winning 1-0 at Nice in Sunday’s late game. The two sides are 11 points behind runaway leaders and champions Paris St Germain.

Laborde headed Montpellier into a 17th-minute lead and Delort sealed the contest in the 53rd when he confidently stroked home a penalty.

Midfielder Morgan Sanson scored Marseille’s winner late in the first half when he turned in a cross from impressive right back Bouna Sarr.

It was a laboured performance from Nice, who sit 14th in the table and only two points above the relegation play-off spot, eight points adrift of Marseille.

Elsewhere, sixth-placed St Etienne were held to a 1-1 home draw by 11th-placed Rennes.

A Wahbi Kazri penalty fired St Etienne ahead before Ismailla Sarr equalised and Hatem Ben Arfa missed a penalty for the visitors.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2018

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