PARIS — Firing coach Jocelyn Gourvennec had an immediate impact on Bordeaux, which moved four points away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at Nantes in the French league on Saturday.
Under caretaker coach Eric Bedouet, who was put in temporary charge on Thursday following Gourvennec’s departure, Bordeaux had the best chances in a display of attacking football.
Bedouet’s interim mission did not last long as Bordeaux announced after the game the appointment of Gus Poyet as its new permanent coach.
The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute when Nicolas De Preville cut behind a defender in the area to connect with a precise cross from Youssouf Sabaly and plant a firm header past goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.
De Preville came close to adding a second goal soon after the break but his shot ended inches wide after combining well with Malcolm. The Brazilian striker delivered an inspired performance throughout and had a good chance denied in the 53rd as Tatarusanu palmed away a left-foot shot that seemed headed for the top corner.
The Romanian ‘keeper was decisive again in the 72nd to stop yet another effort from Malcolm.
Nantes looked disorganized and created only a few dangerous moves. The most notable came in stoppage time after a mix-up in the Bordeaux area that ended with a header from Emiliano Sala over the bar.
The hosts remained in fifth place despite two losses in their last three league matches.
Gourvennec was fired following a string of poor results and a home loss to Caen that left Bordeaux just two points above the relegation zone. Gourvennec had led Bordeaux to a sixth-placed finish last season.
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MONTPELLIER LEAVES IT LATE
Giovanni Sio scored in the dying seconds to give Montpellier a 2-1 win over struggling Toulouse at the Stade de la Mosson.
Sio made the most of a poor clearance from ‘keeper Alban Lafont, as the ball ricocheted off his chest before the 28-year-old forward sent it into the back off the net.
Giannelli Imbula had put visitors Toulouse ahead at the half-hour mark before Junior Sambia equalized.
Montpellier moved to sixth place, three points behind Nantes while Toulouse remained in the relegation zone.
Toulouse played with 10 men for the entire second half following Max-Alain Gradel’s dismissal in the 41st minute.
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LALA SPOT ON
Kenny Lala scored two penalties to give Strasbourg a 3-2 win over Dijon on a rain-soaked pitch.
Lala got the winner in the 79th minute after Oussama Haddadi fouled Nuno Costa in the box as Strasbourg ended a three-match losing run in the league.
The hosts got off to an excellent start but failed to hold onto the two-goal lead they built within 20 minutes after Jean-Eudes Aholou broke the deadlock and Lala made it 2-0 from the spot.
Goals from Julio Tavares and Haddadi put Dijon back in the game.
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OTHER RESULTS
Promoted Amiens defeated Guingamp 3-1, Adama Niane scored his fourth goal this season as Troyes beat Lille 1-0 and Benjamin Bourigeaud gave Rennes three points from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win over Angers.
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