Lille denied by Guingamp

Lille saw their four-match winning run brought to an end on Saturday evening with a goalless draw at Guingamp.

Lille saw their four-match winning run brought to an end on Saturday evening with a goalless draw at Guingamp which was played out amid torrential downpours. The inclement weather meant chances were few and far between at the Stade du Roudourou, while the visitors were unable to capitalise on the dismissal of Lionel Mathis 10 minutes from time with conditions deteriorating. Despite the draw, Lille remain unbeaten in eight Ligue 1 matches and they climb back up to second, although they now have four points to make up on leaders Paris St Germain, who beat Nice earlier in the day. The heavy rain in Brittany meant it was always going to be difficult for either side to gain a foothold in the match. Guingamp gave it their best shot, though, and Fatih Atik released Thibault Giresse with a neat lay-off after 10 minutes which the midfielder fired narrowly wide from 20 yards. The home side threatened again after 20 minutes, Atik again at the centre of the action as he raced on to a ball from Mustapha Yatabare before volleying past the post. Lille were almost gifted the opener on the half-hour when a poor clearance fell kindly for Jonathan Delaplace, whose fierce strike was pushed away by goalkeeper Guy Ndy Assembe. Salomon Kalou then turned the resulting corner past the post from close range. Assembe came to the rescue again after 59 minutes, getting a hand to a Franck Beria strike which appeared on course for the top corner. Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama then made his first save of the match three minutes later, blocking Atik's latest attempt to break the deadlock. There was some late drama with Mathis shown his second yellow card, but a soggy pitch denied Lille the opportunity to make their advantage count.