Ajaccio end winless run
Last Updated: December 12, 2012 8:59pm
Adrian Mutu: Scored the opening goal
Adrian Mutu led the way with a first-half opener as Ajaccio claimed their first Ligue 1 win in five matches at the expense of struggling Reims at the Stade Francois Coty on Wednesday night.
The Romanian netted the opener from a free-kick on the half-hour and a late own goal from Mickael Tacalfred made it another bad night for the visitors, who have now gone nine games without a win.
Keen to get back on track after a 3-0 loss at Montpellier at the weekend, Ajaccio made a poor start and almost gifted Reims an 11th-minute lead when a poor clearance by Carl Medjani fell to Kamel Ghimas, whose shot was knocked out for a corner by Guillermo Ochoa.
Mutu went close to breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute when Johan Cavalli's ball found him in space at the near post, and he chested it down and volleyed inches wide of target.
But Mutu grabbed the opener six minutes later after Cavalli won a free-kick on the right. Mutu hit the set-piece which bobbled awkwardly in front of Reims keeper Kossi Agassa before finding the back of the net.
Diego Rogonato had a chance for Reims before half-time but after the break it was Ajaccio who almost extended their lead through Chahir Belghazouani, who drove a solid effort just wide.
Eduardo tried a lob that sailed just wide of target before Reims were unlucky not to equalise in the 63rd minute, Odair Fortes playing in Julien Toudic whose 20-yard shot hit the woodwork.
Ajaccio finally sealed their win in the 77th minute when Paul Lasne got his head on another Mutu free-kick and the ball deflected off the head of Tacalfred and into his own net.
Matches
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French Ligue 1
Table
French Ligue 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris St Germain | 37 | 80 |
| 2 | Marseille | 37 | 70 |
| 3 | Lyon | 36 | 63 |
| 4 | St Etienne | 37 | 62 |
| 5 | Lille | 37 | 61 |
| 6 | Nice | 36 | 60 |
| 7 | Lorient | 37 | 53 |
| 8 | Bordeaux | 37 | 52 |
| 9 | Montpellier | 37 | 52 |
| 10 | Toulouse | 37 | 48 |
| 11 | Rennes | 37 | 46 |
| 12 | Bastia | 37 | 46 |
| 13 | Valenciennes | 37 | 45 |
| 14 | Reims | 37 | 42 |
| 15 | Evian Thonon Gaillar | 37 | 40 |
| 16 | AC Ajaccio | 37 | 40 |
| 17 | Sochaux | 37 | 40 |
| 18 | Troyes | 37 | 37 |
| 19 | Nancy | 37 | 35 |
| 20 | Brest | 37 | 29 |
