A contender for match of the season Left French league leaders Lille and title chasers Bordeaux sharing the points as both sides grabbed two goals apiece in Paris on Friday.
Entertainment aside, the 2-2 result leaves both sides in title limbo. Lille have 54, with Bordeaux trailing four points adrift. But more importantly the draw hands a title lifeline to second-placed Nantes, who have a chance to go top today when they travel to lowly Metz.
The match played on Friday in French border town lived up to its top billing.
Lille, led by volatile Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic, showed their fighting spirit from the start and in only the third minute France number two 'Keeper Ullrich Rame was called to produce a fingertip save when Dagui Orphie Bakari volleyed goalwards. However, Bordeaux soon calmed the hosts' northern fervour with a sucker-punch goal that was simply typical of dangerman Pauleta.
The talented Brazilian proved why he should never be given a spare inch when, after an inch-perfect cross from Marc Wilmots, he was given time to head home past 'keeper Gregory Wimbe in the 16th minute.

Bureau Report