Football: Montpellier continue revival, Toulouse’s Arribage resigns

Montpellier moved further clear of relegation in Ligue 1 with a 3-0 win over Lille.

Lille's midfielder Ibrahim Amadou (R) challenges Montpellier's forward Casimir Ninga (L) during the French L1 football match between Montpellier and Lille at the Mosson stadium in Montpellier, southern France, on February 27, 2016. AFP

Former champions Montpellier moved further clear of relegation trouble in Ligue 1 on Saturday with a 3-0 win against Lille at a rain-soaked Stade de la Mosson.

Kevin Berigaud opened the scoring after some fine play from Ryad Boudebouz and Bryan Dabo and young substitute Ellyes Skhiri were also on target for the home side.

It was a third win in a row for the 2012 title-winners, who have claimed four victories and one draw in six matches since Frederic Hantz was appointed coach at the end of January.

That run has lifted Montpellier seven points clear of the relegation zone, with Lille a point beneath them.

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Reims pulled four points above the drop zone with a 4-1 win over Bordeaux, but Toulouse are now 10 points from safety after conceding two stoppage-time goals in a crushing 2-1 defeat against Rennes.

Toulouse coach Dominique Arribage resigned afterwards, with the club languishing in 19th place and winless in eight games.

“We have to prepare for the future. The situation was too difficult pyschologically for Dominique,” Toulouse president Olivier Sadran told reporters.

“It’s a very difficult situation morally. It’s a match which reflects our season. We feel it’s too difficult to win games, there’s something wrong,” he added.

Lorient edged past bottom side Troyes 1-0 while Angers salvaged a 2-2 draw at Guingamp despite playing the second half a man down after the dismissal of skipper Cheikh N’Doye.

Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain visit Lyon on Sunday looking to extend their 46-match unbeaten run in domestic competition stretching back to March last year.

Laurent Blanc’s side make the trip without injured duo Marco Verratti and Angel Di Maria as well as defender Serge Aurier, banished to the reserves until the March international break.

Before that, Monaco in second go to a Nantes side who have not lost in 15 outings since a 1-0 reverse in the principality in November.

If Monaco slip up and PSG win, the capital club would have a chance of securing a fourth consecutive title next weekend.

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