In-form Lille youngster Jonathan Bamba scored twice against former club Saint-Etienne to fire Christophe Galtier’s men to a 3-1 win which cut Paris Saint-Germain’s lead in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
The hosts, who only narrowly avoided relegation last term, are now four points clear of Saint-Etienne after applying a modicum of pressure on champions PSG, who defend their 100-percent record against Lyon on Sunday.
Lille backed up their 3-0 victory over Marseille last weekend in style, but coach Galtier didn’t want to be drawn on his young team’s chances of pushing for a top-three finish and Champions League qualification.
“I’m satisfied with the performance of the team in these last two matches,” he said.
“This start is unexpected, but the appetite comes with eating. I have young players and when you’re young you have a big appetite.
“They need to keep this appetite, without becoming obese, staying fit. These are points taken… and when there will be less good moments, the points we have taken now will do us good.”
Bamba got Lille off to a flying start in the 17th minute, collecting Loic Remy’s lay-off before creating space for a shot which flew into the bottom corner.
Remy Cabella levelled for Saint-Etienne from the penalty spot just nine minutes later, but Bamba struck again in the opening minute of the second half.
Nicolas Pepe sent the 22-year-old racing clear, and he cut inside before curling home another unerring finish from the edge of the box.
Bamba, who left Saint-Etienne for Lille on a free transfer in the close-season, has now scored seven goals in only nine appearances for his new club.
A fourth win in five matches was wrapped up late on, as Bamba broke away from the visitors’ midfield and slipped through a pass for Pepe to fire between the legs of Les Verts goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.
Pepe, 23, has netted six goals already this term himself.
Elsewhere on Saturday, South African striker Lebo Mothiba scored twice for Strasbourg in a 2-2 draw at Angers, while Guingamp stayed rooted to the foot of the table after being held 1-1 by Montpellier in a match which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Thomas Tuchel’s PSG will be bidding to restore their eight-point advantage at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, while Monaco look to drag themselves out of the bottom three against Rennes.
Sir Alex Ferguson made his triumphant return to Old Trafford this weekend, but Manchester United failed to live up to the moment, unlike Liverpool, who maintained their immaculate campaign and are getting rewarded for it in the standings, while a helicopter caused a bizarre scene in the English third division.
Sir Alex Ferguson made his triumphant return to Old Trafford this weekend, but Manchester United failed to live up to the moment, unlike Liverpool, who maintained their immaculate campaign and are getting rewarded for it in the standings, while a helicopter caused a bizarre scene in the English third division.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s short Juventus debut in the Champions League ended in tears, Liverpool and PSG faced off in a high-profile affair at Anfield, Real Madrid and Barcelona dominated while Manchester City stumbled in this week’s action in the world of soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s short Juventus debut in the Champions League ended in tears, Liverpool and PSG faced off in a high-profile affair at Anfield, Real Madrid and Barcelona dominated while Manchester City stumbled in this week’s action in the world of soccer.
Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic previews the team’s upcoming matchup against the New England Revolution, who seek entry into the Eastern Conference playoff zone, on Saturday, September 22 in Foxborough, Mass. (Courtesy of the Chicago Fire).
Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic previews the team’s upcoming matchup against the New England Revolution, who seek entry into the Eastern Conference playoff zone, on Saturday, September 22 in Foxborough, Mass. (Courtesy of the Chicago Fire).
Chicago Fire midfielder Michael De Leeuw highlighted the confidence in the locker room ahead of their visit to the New England Revolution on Saturday, September 22 (Courtesy of the Chicago Fire).
Chicago Fire midfielder Michael De Leeuw highlighted the confidence in the locker room ahead of their visit to the New England Revolution on Saturday, September 22 (Courtesy of the Chicago Fire).
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League debut with Juventus only lasted 29 minutes before seeing a red card from referee Felix Brych, bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to tears as he left the Mestalla Stadium pitch (video by Bleacher Report).
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League debut with Juventus only lasted 29 minutes before seeing a red card from referee Felix Brych, bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to tears as he left the Mestalla Stadium pitch (video by Bleacher Report).
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