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Fonte rescues draw to keep Lille clear at Ligue 1 summit

Portugal centre-back Jose Fonte’s late header rescued Ligue 1 leaders Lille a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Sunday which kept them two points ahead of the chasing pack as Lyon were held by Marseille, while Monaco moved closer to the top of the table by cruising past Brest.

Lille extended their lead over second-placed Paris Saint-Germain and stayed three points clear of Lyon, who missed the chance to move within a point after a 1-1 draw at Marseille.

Monaco sit in fourth place, only four points off the summit.

Christophe Galtier’s Lille, bidding for a first major trophy since winning the league and French Cup double in 2011, are unbeaten in nine league games since a defeat by Angers in early January, but lost both legs of their Europa League last-32 tie.

“We’re disappointed,” Fonte told Canal+. “We did everything in the second half, but we have to create more chances.

“But we didn’t lose… There was perhaps a bit of fatigue from the game (on Thursday) against Ajax, but there are no excuses, we have to do better.

“It’s a disappointment, but we continue the fight. It’s not over.”

Home team Lille started on the front foot and had a penalty appeal waved away in the 17th minute after Jonathan David went down in the area, despite a VAR review.

But they fell behind nine minutes before half-time as Strasbourg striker Ludovic Ajorque volleyed home.

Ajorque almost doubled his tally two minutes later, but his header was well saved by Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

 

 

 

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