Lille earn first league win, edge newly-promoted Caen via controversial PK
LE MANS, France --
Lille earned its first win of the season in the French league on Friday after beating newly-promoted Caen 1-0 courtesy of a controversial penalty.
Divock Origi converted the spot kick in the 69th minute after the referee saw a foul from Caen fullback Dennis Appiah on the Lille striker. Appiah was also red-carded although TV replays showed he made a clean tackle.
''It's a harsh result for Caen,'' Lille captain Rio Mavuba told BeIn Sport television. ''We're struggling to create space and be accurate in the final ball.''
Lille finished third last season but could only manage a goalless draw with promoted Metz in its opening game last weekend.
Caen played its home game at Le Mans because its Michel d'Ornano stadium will host the world equestrian games from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7.
Caen was the more threatening side, with winger Lenny Nangis firing wide in the 27th and substitute Fode Koita heading over the bar in the 56th.
Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Mavuba preserved the victory in the closing minutes. Enyeama parried a long-range strike from Caen winger Florian Raspentino and Mavuba cleared off the line following a header from Koita.
Caen lost striker Mathieu Duhamel and defender Emmanuel Imorou to injuries. Imorou pulled his left hamstring in the 31st while Duhamel, the top scorer in the second division last season, sprained his right ankle in the 47th.
On Saturday, it's Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bastia; Lens vs. Guingamp; Lorient vs. Nice; Metz vs. Nantes; Rennes vs. Evian; Toulouse vs. Lyon.
On Sunday, Monaco visits Bordeaux, Marseille hosts Montpellier and Saint-Etienne faces Reims.
