More of the same…….

By: Jay | December 10th, 2007

Not much to be said about the pathetic result at Lens on saturday other than that Le Mans climbed into third place thanks to the 3-1 victory, a result which leaves the blood and gold only four points above the drop zone.

Mans Top-scorer Tullio de Melo opened the scoring for the visitors before Aruna Dindane equalised on the stroke of half-time.

But Brazilian Gervinho restored the lead early in the second-half before striker Anthony Le Tallec’s last-gasp goal ensured the visitors took all three points back to Le Mans.

The visitors could have taken the lead in the 16th minute but goalkeeper Vedran Runje made a good save to prevent De Melo’s dangerous scissor kick from landing in the back of the net.

But the Brazilian did lift his side into the lead seven minutes later. A corner from the left side of the box fell to him at the near post and he poked it in from just about six yards out for his 10th goal this season.

Lens should have equalised five minutes later as Mans substitute keeper Rodolphe Roche filling in for the Yohan Pele fumbled his attempt to clear Olivier Monterrubio’s corner but defender Gregory Cerdan cleared well.

On the stroke of half-time Les Sang et Or pulled level.

Le Mans captain and all around star Ndri Romaric’s clearance fell to Dindane who streaked past Marko Basa before striking past a roaming Roche.

Just five minutes after the break Gervinho restored his side’s lead, taking advantage of a miscommunication between Lucien Aubey and Runje to sneak in and tap the ball towards goal. This is not surprising for anyone who has ever heard Runje’s attempts at the French language.

Lens had a chance to equalise on 76 minutes as Monterrubio’s free-kick found Kader Mangane but Roche kept his header out.

And in the final minute Le Tallec sealed the victory, heading Jean Calve’s superb ball past Roche for his first goal for Le Mans.

Thus, another disappointing performance for Jean-Pierre Papin’s men as they find themselves hovering ominously above the relegation zone at 15th place in the table. The loss also demonstrates the continued lack of consistency from a squad that looked to be turning the proverbial corner as such.

I must say, Papin’s selection was a bit better this time around as he had Sidi Keita and Kader Mangane paired in the midfield and it disrupted the Mans flow in the first half. However, Keita appeared to be hurt and Papin made the tactical mistake of bringing on Seid Khiter, a striker, in his place.

Kanga Aakale was once again awol but I did hear Lens Announcer Patrick Valke mention that he had been injured. It still seems hard to believe since the Akale affair has been dragging on for quite some time and it seems certain that he will move on probably to Toulouse or Real Betis at the conclusion of the African Cup of Nations.

Til next time……allez Lens!

MATCH PHOTOS