Folarin Balogun had a frustrating night in front of goal for Les Monégasques in their narrow defeat, while Emmanuel Sabbi opened up his Ligue 1 account.
Le Havre 3 – 1 Nice
It was a good day at the office for Emmanuel Sabbi and his team as the American opened up his account in France, scoring twice in the first half to upset second place Nice at the Stade Oceane, on the English Channel.
Having taken three points in only one of their last nine games, registering four losses and four draws, Les Ciel et Marine are doing their best to keep out of the relegation zone and these unexpected three points have given them a lot more breathing room, thanks to their once-capped USA international.
The American, playing on the left wing, didn’t waste much time getting his name on the scoreboard because before fans were able to get comfortable in their plastic seats, they were on their feet celebrating. Storming down into the Nice final third with the ball at his feet, Mohamed Bayo pulled the trigger just on the edge of the 18 yard box and although it looked like an easy save, Marcin Bulka bobbled the ball. Having made his way into the box, Sabbi belted it into the back of the net from five yards out, giving the Polish keeper no chance at all. He then celebrated with a couple of acrobatic flips to further entertain the Le Havre faithful.
The strike made him the sixth American to score in Ligue 1 this century, joining Carlos Bocanegra, Charlie Davies, Alejandro Bedoya, Timothy Weah and of course Folarin Balogun. He is the first ever American to score for Le Havre in Ligue 1.
Pablo Rosario should have scored for the visitors after a few passes around the box but the Dutchman just couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and his close range shot was blocked and then collected by Arthur Desmas between the sticks.
The American was then booked in the 26th minute for a not-so-pretty tackle on Mvula Lotomba’s ankle. Nine minutes later however, he was celebrating his second goal of the night. Bayo picked out the Italian-born American, floating a ball inside and on the left side of the box where Sabbi coolly brought it down and smashed it just inside the far post, .
After the intermission, things only got better for the hosts as they found themselves three goals ahead in the 51st minute. Sabbi found Loic Nego in the box and watched his Hungarian team mate brought down by Melvin Bard. Instead of giving the American the chance to score a hat trick however, Bayo put the ball on the spot and made it 3-0.
Sabbi was subbed out in the 66th minute to a rapturous applause and second place Nice managed a consolation strike a minute into stoppage time.
Sitting in the 10th spot in Ligue 1, Le Havre will travel to the land of Champagne on Wednesday night to take on Reims to see out the year.
Monaco 0 – 1 Lyon
Olympique Lyon ended Monaco’s two game winning streak with a narrow victory over the third place team. Folarin Balogun was in the starting line up but was unable to find the back of the net to add to his four goals this season. He did play the full 90 however.
Olympique Lyon, a traditional powerhouse in French soccer, are really struggling this season and with this victory find themselves out of the relegation zone proper but still in the relegation playoff picture. Monaco on the other hand have been in top form and will be grateful to Sabbi for his two against Nice, allowing them not to lose any ground as they still sit in the third spot with Nice still two points ahead.
Twelve minutes in Balogun had a chance at hitting the net but Lyon’s Portuguese keeper, Anthony Lopes parried the effort away. Later in the half the American was at it again and only a diving acrobatic save that the Portuguese keeper sent over the cross bar kept the game scoreless.
Five minutes before the final whistle the deadlock was broken by the visitors. Another former Arsenal man, Ainsley Maitland-Niles picked up the assist when he picked out Jeffinho in the center of the box and the Brazilian scored his first of the season.
Monaco’s last game of the year will also come Wednesday night when they travel to Toulouse.