PARIS (AP) — Already struggling with 11 players, Montpellier was undone by the sending off of Valere Germain just before half-time and slumped to a 3-1 home loss against Lille in the French league on Sunday.
Depleted by injuries and suspensions, Montpellier struggled throughout the first half at La Mosson stadium but was lucky to open the scoring against the run of play after 20 minutes when Elye Wahi used a clever lob to beat goalkeeper Leo Jardim.
Before that, Lille hit the woodwork twice and dominated proceedings. The northern side kept pushing and got a deserved equalizer four minutes before the break as Canada forward Jonathan David converted an assist from Remy Cabella into the far corner.
Cabella, who won the French league title with Montpellier back in 2012, was not expected to play but shook off a thigh injury to start and torment his former team in front of an hostile crowd.