French Ligue One Roundup, Feb. 6
Lille missed the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the French league when it conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Auxerre on Sunday.
Lille took the lead in the ninth minute when striker Moussa Sow got his league-leading 15th goal of the season with a brilliant bicycle kick from just inside the penalty area, but Poland defender Dariusz Dudka replied with just four minutes remaining.
"It's two points lost. But we've come away empty-handed from here so many times in the past that it (feels like) a point gained," Lille coach Rudi Garcia said. "We know we're the team to beat because we're at the front, but we will have to learn from experiences like this."
Lille should have led by more late in the first half, but midfielder Eden Hazard chose to shoot from a narrow angle rather than passing to the unmarked Sow lurking inside the area.
Lille paid the price for that missed chance. Auxerre won a free kick near the left corner flag, and Anthony Le Tallec flicked it on perfectly for Dudka to slide the ball home at the far post.
The draw means Lille is five points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes, who are second and third respectively.
Also, Moussa Sissoko scored both goals as Toulouse beat struggling Monaco 2-0 at home to climb up to seventh place.
Later Sunday, Lyon was playing at home against Bordeaux.