Montpellier ride on Boudebouz brace

AFP, PARIS: Algerian playmaker Ryad Boudebouz scored twice as Montpellier beat Marseille 3-1 on Friday to leave new OM coach Rudi Garcia still looking for a first league win in charge.
Boudebouz netted both of his goals in the first half and Steve Mounie also struck for the hosts at the Stade de la Mosson with Florian Thauvin replying for Marseille.
That was their first goal in Ligue 1 since the takeover of the club by American tycoon Frank McCourt and Garcia’s appointment last month, with Marseille having drawn 0-0 with Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux in their previous two outings.
Here they fell behind inside four minutes as Boudebouz pounced to turn in the loose ball after goalkeeper Yohann Pele had palmed out a Mounie shot.
Morgan Sanson hit the outside of the post for Montpellier with a superb volley before they doubled their advantage nine minutes prior to the interval.
Souleymane Camara’s ball in from the right was deflected by Maxime Lopez into the path of Boudebouz, who took a touch and volleyed in his sixth of the season.
Marseille got one back early in the second half as Thauvin headed in a Romain Alessandrini cross from close range, but Montpellier soon restored their two-goal lead as Sanson picked out Mounie to score.
The result leaves Marseille in mid-table, above Montpellier on goal difference, and confirms to Garcia the size of task that lies in store for him at the southern giants.
Leaders Nice, who are six points clear of Monaco and champions Paris Saint-Germain at the summit, visit struggling Caen on Sunday.
Monaco are at home to Nancy and PSG entertain Rennes.
Montpellier defender Mathieu Deplagne helped his team to a 3-1 French Ligue 1 win over Marseille but then had to appeal for assistance in finding a tooth he’d lost on the pitch.
Deplagne was hurt in a bruising collision with Zambo Anguissa late in Friday’s game and was substituted.
Once the final whistle was blown, he was joined by a band of Montpellier backroom staff who searched the pitch to locate the tooth. But their efforts were in vain.
“Mathieu lost a tooth and we went to look for it on the pitch, but we couldn’t find it,” explained Montpellier coach Frederic Hantz.
 Another report from Bogota adds, Monaco’s rejuvenated striker Radamel Falcao was on Friday handed an international recall by Colombia after a year’s absence from the squad for two key World Cup qualifiers.
The 30-year-old Monaco star hit two goals in a 3-0 midweek Champions League win over CSKA Moscow to take his total to six in nine games this season.
Falcao, who missed the 2014 World Cup finals through injury, last played for Colombia on October 13, 2015, in a 3-0 loss to Uruguay in Montevideo. But he has been recalled for the qualifiers against Chile and Argentina on November 10 and 16 respectively.
“Happy to represent my country,” the striker tweeted. “It’s an opportunity that I will meet with a lot of enthusiasm. It’s really special.”

Montpellier ride on Boudebouz brace

AFP, PARIS: Algerian playmaker Ryad Boudebouz scored twice as Montpellier beat Marseille 3-1 on Friday to leave new OM coach Rudi Garcia still looking for a first league win in charge. Boudebouz netted both of his goals in the first half and Steve Mounie also struck for the hosts at the Stade de la Mosson with Florian Thauvin replying for Marseille. That was their first goal in Ligue 1 since the takeover of the club by American tycoon Frank McCourt and Garcias appointment last month, with Marseille having drawn 0-0 with Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux in their previous two outings. Here they fell behind inside four minutes as Boudebouz pounced to turn in the loose ball after goalkeeper Yohann Pele had palmed out a Mounie shot. Morgan Sanson hit the outside of the post for Montpellier with a superb volley before they doubled their advantage nine minutes prior to the interval. Souleymane Camaras ball in from the right was deflected by Maxime Lopez into the path of Boudebouz, who took a touch and volleyed in his sixth of the season. Marseille got one back early in the second half as Thauvin headed in a Romain Alessandrini cross from close range, but Montpellier soon restored their two-goal lead as Sanson picked out Mounie to score. The result leaves Marseille in mid-table, above Montpellier on goal difference, and confirms to Garcia the size of task that lies in store for him at the southern giants. Leaders Nice, who are six points clear of Monaco and champions Paris Saint-Germain at the summit, visit struggling Caen on Sunday. Monaco are at home to Nancy and PSG entertain Rennes. Montpellier defender Mathieu Deplagne helped his team to a 3-1 French Ligue 1 win over Marseille but then had to appeal for assistance in finding a tooth hed lost on the pitch. Deplagne was hurt in a bruising collision with Zambo Anguissa late in Fridays game and was substituted. Once the final whistle was blown, he was joined by a band of Montpellier backroom staff who searched the pitch to locate the tooth. But their efforts were in vain. Mathieu lost a tooth and we went to look for it on the pitch, but we couldnt find it, explained Montpellier coach Frederic Hantz. Another report from Bogota adds, Monacos rejuvenated striker Radamel Falcao was on Friday handed an international recall by Colombia after a years absence from the squad for two key World Cup qualifiers. The 30-year-old Monaco star hit two goals in a 3-0 midweek Champions League win over CSKA Moscow to take his total to six in nine games this season. Falcao, who missed the 2014 World Cup finals through injury, last played for Colombia on October 13, 2015, in a 3-0 loss to Uruguay in Montevideo. But he has been recalled for the qualifiers against Chile and Argentina on November 10 and 16 respectively. Happy to represent my country, the striker tweeted. Its an opportunity that I will meet with a lot of enthusiasm. Its really special.