Bordeaux held in French top flight stalemate

Leaders Bordeaux missed a chance to pull ahead in the French league on Saturday with a goalless draw at Monaco, as the top three remained unchanged after Montpellier were also held 1-1 by Auxerre.

Bordeaux remain top with 53 points after 27 games, with a game in hand on Montpellier, who also have 53, with Auxerre just a point behind in third.

Lyon could however pull level with Bordeaux and Montpellier when they host St. Etienne later Saturday.

Meanwhile, beleaguered Paris Saint Germain put their woes behind them with a Mevlut Erding hat-trick inspiring them to a 4-1 win over Sochaux at their Parc des Princes stadium.

In a lacklustre first half at Monaco’s Louis II Stadium the crowd had to wait until the half hour mark to see the first shot at goal when Yannick Sagbo beat Fernando and forced Cedric Carrasso to clear in the Bordeaux goal.

Just before the break it was the turn of Monaco’s Brazilian midfielder Nene, but his effort went just wide.

After the break, Bordeaux had a chance to break the deadlock when Brazilian Wendel’s free kick was picked up by David Bellion, who passed on to Yoan Gouffran, only for the striker to send over from just six metres out.

In a tense second half both sides missed a string of chances with Bordeaux coach Blanc opting to bring on Jussie, Yohann Gourcuff and Marouane Chamakh.

And Monaco goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier did well late in the game to keep out a header from defender Lamine Sane after 70 minutes and a Gourcuff free kick five minutes later.

Montpellier also missed their chance to overtake Bordeaux after a goal from Dennis Oliech just before the break putting Auxerre on their way.

Oliech picked up a cross from striker Daniel Niculae beating two defenders to open their account, only for Alberto Costa to level for Montpellier after 65 minutes following a Souleymane Camara pass.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint Germain went on a goal spree at home against Sochaux.

Guillaume Hoarau opened for the hosts after 17 minutes before Turkish striker Erding doubled their account a minute later, before claiming a second after 35 minutes.

Ryad Boudebouz got one back for Sochaux after 63 minutes when he stepped up to take a penalty awarded for a foul by Christophe Jallet on midfielder Marvin.

But Erding found the net again five minutes later.

Elsewhere, second-from-bottom Boulogne shocked Nancy 3-1 to notch up just their fourth win of the season, as Nice came away with a 1-0 win from Le Mans with Lorient beating Lens by the same scoreline.