PSG thwarted by Nice, Lille climb to third

Paris Saint-Germain squandered the opportunity to climb into the top three in the French first division when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Nice on Sunday.

The hosts saw more of the ball in attacking areas throughout the match, with French international striker Guillaume Hoarau drawing two good saves from Nice goalkeeper David Ospina in the first 45 minutes.

The visitors came close to snatching the lead early in the second half, but with Emerse Fae poised to head the ball into the net after PSG keeper Apoula Edel missed a cross, Clement Chantome intervened to put the ball behind for a corner.

PSG are on a fine run of form, having opened up a three-point lead in their Europa League group by beating Ukrainians Karpaty Lviv 2-0 on Thursday, and they threatened again when Nene flashed a shot across goal and wide.

Nene went close again in the 85th minute, after attacking a low Stephane Sessegnon cross at the back post, but Ospina bravely threw himself at the Brazilian’s feet to preserve Nice’s point.

The draw moves PSG above arch rivals Marseille into seventh place, while Nice remain 13th.

Lille took advantage of PSG’s profligacy to steal into third place, after a Moussa Sow double set them on the way to a 3-1 win at home to Montpellier.

Sow put the home side ahead in the 19th minute and then restored Lille’s advantage with a 31st-minute lob after Olivier Giroud had equalised from the penalty spot.

Ivory Coast international Gervinho capped victory with Lille’s third goal 10 minutes from time.

“We’re on a positive run,” said Lille coach Rudi Garcia.

“I owe it to myself to be demanding. When I think there’s a possibility of winning, I say so. My job is to tell them.”

The big match of the Ligue 1 weekend saw leaders Saint-Etienne held to a 1-1 draw by champions Marseille at a sold-out Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday night.

Second-placed Rennes and fourth-place Toulouse will both be bidding to take over at the top of the table when they meet at Rennes later on Sunday.