AJ Auxerre

2.77

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  0

  0

  3.50

  Olivier Sorin

  Was left exposed by his defence at times, and coped well with the pressure on the whole. Made a good block from Camara when he was through and forced Giroud wide in a similar situation. Had little chance with Utaka’s goal.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Willy Boly

  Got a vital touch to a dangerous Giroud cross after only five minutes to prevent the visitors taking a very early lead. Lucky not to concede a penalty shortly afterwards for a clumsy foul on Utaka in the box, rather summing up his recent struggle for form.

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  0

  0

  2.00

  Stéphane Grichting

  Has endured a difficult campaign and was again put into difficulty relatively regularly. Did show his rugged attributes as he blocked from Giroud, but looks a yard off the pace, as Montpellier’s second goal was testament to. Given a rousing ovation due to his outstanding service to the club, but a sad way to bow out.

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  0

  0

  2.50

  Cyriaque Rivieyran

  Lasted only 35 minutes of his previous Ligue 1 start before being hauled off, and he fared somewhat better on this occasion, though he looked uncomfortable having to cope with the raw pace and power of Camara.

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  0

  0

  2.50

  Edouard Cissé

  Struggled to contain the threat of Cabella in the middle of the field, with the Montpellier playmaker able to pick some dangerous passes through the defence as a result. Did make one potentially goal-saving challenge early in the first half.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Kossi Prince Segbefia

  Stationed on the right of the defence, the youngster was matched up against Utaka and did well to limit the damage the Nigerian could do out wide. Failed to track the run of the attacker for the equalising goal, though.

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  0

  0

  2.50

  Omar Kossoko

  On the one occasion in the first half he got away from the defence, he was crudely tripped. Didn’t influence the game enough as a whole, but did show limited promise once again.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Delvin Ndinga

  Showed great energy as usual, but struggled to dominate the centre of the field. Impressed with his dynamic forward running but was not as strong defensively as he often is. Fired in a great second-half shot.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Anthony Le Tallec

  Played alone in attack in preference to Dennis Oliech and gave the visitors an early scare with a good shot from a tight angle. Did get another firm effort in on target, but this was no great threat. Perhaps his best contribution was an excellent knock down to Ndinga.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Olivier Kapo

  Has been in excellent form of late, and he continued that against Montpellier, sending a fine header into the net from a corner kick. After that positive moment, the ex-Juventus player struggled rather more to influence the game as Auxerre were penned back.

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  0

  0

  2.50

  Roy Contout

  Known as a highly-erratic player, he struggled to get involved in the midfield for significant periods, yet when he was on the ball, he was unpredictable, and rarely in a positive manner.

Substitutions

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  0

  0

  Kamel Chafni

  Failed to turn the game after being brought on.

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  0

  0

  Christopher Missilou

  Given his debut in the closing minutes of the match as he replaced Grichting.

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  0

  0

  Dennis Oliech

  Was supposed to pep up the attack, but his influence was minimal.

Montpellier Herault SC

2.95

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Geoffrey Jourdren

  Made a particularly important save from Delvin N’Dinga as the second period reached its halfway stage, but wasn’t worked particularly hard over the course of the match. Blameless for the goal.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Garry Bocaly

  Has been tremendous this season and capped his campaign with another strong performance, getting forward dangerously down the right-hand side. Was generally very disciplined in his role, showing he can be prepared to sit back and defend.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Mapou Yangambiwa

  Wasn’t really required to do much of the last-ditch defending that he thrives upon. At times he got his positioning wrong, but he was able to recover. Not significantly tested and was confident enough to make an incredibly lung-bursting run late on.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Vitorino Hilton da Silva

  Montpellier’s wisest defender was caught out rarely on the night. Although he still lacks pace, his positioning is excellent. Kept a cool head in dramatic circumstances.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Cyril Jeunechamp

  With Ligue 1’s outstanding left-back this season Henri Bedimo, the veteran stood in and did a solid job. Didn’t provide the attacking thrust of the Cameroon defender, but did provide a useful steady presence at the back.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Marco Estrada Quinteros

  The Chilean showed a great willingness to shoot from range, though he was unsuccessful on the night, while his set pieces typically caused panic in the home rearguard. Withdrawn with half an hour left as Montpellier closed the game down.

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  0

  0

  Rémy Cabella

  Once again starting because of Younes Belhanda’s suspension, but again showed himself as a capable deputy. Threaded several dangerous passes through the Auxerre defensive line and showed excellent feet. Withdrawn as Montpellier tried to shut the game down.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Jamel Saihi

  Played his role in the equalising goal but was largely the solid presence in the heart of the field that Montpellier built on. Did show some attacking intent, getting a useful shot in on goal in the first half that flew just wide.

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  2

  0

  3.50

  John Utaka

  A dangerous presence once again, and should have head a penalty inside the opening 15 minutes when he seemed to have been fouled. Got his reward before the break as he tapped in from close range and doubled his money with a fine finish towards the end of the match, scoring the winner.

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  0

  0

  3.00

  Olivier Giroud

  Offered his first threat after only five minutes when he got in behind the defence, although his cross was not turned in. Although he was to be a menace, this wasn’t to be his evening in front of goal, with the defence or goalkeeper inevitably blocking his best efforts.

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  0

  2.50

  Souleymane Camara

  The winger provided a key contribution for la Paillade down the right, bustling beyond Rivieyran to set up Utaka for the equalising goal. Didn’t get involved enough, but when he was on the ball he was a threat.

Substitutions

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  0

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  2.50

  Benjamin Stambouli

  Introduced to shore things up in the heart of the field with around 30 minutes left.

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  0

  0

  Geoffrey Dernis

  Introduced in the latter stages to replace Cabella as la Paillade sought to shut things down.