PSG stay top with late Montpellier draw

Guillaume Hoarau's 88th-minute equaliser rescued Paris Saint-Germain a 2-2 draw with Montpellier in Ligue 1. The visitors had looked set to take over at the top when John Utaka netted their second goal eight minutes from time, however, Hoarau's close-range finish kept PSG a point clear at the top. PSG had Salvatore Sirigu to thank for keeping them in the game in the tenth minute, the Italian goalkeeper punching away a shot from Utaka before denying Olivier Giroud on the rebound. Montpellier continued to press and ten minutes later right-back Garry Bocaly found Giroud with a great cross, but the striker could not find the target with his header. PSG responded in the 23rd minute when Kevin Gameiro tested goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren with a well-struck shot, following a ball from Nene. The home side took the lead in the 41st minute, though, when Alex received the ball from Nene and beat Jourdren with a powerful swerving shot from 30 yards. However, Montpellier were level just before the break when Hilton's cross was headed home by the unmarked Younes Belhanda. Maxwell went close to restoring the home side's advantage seven minutes into the second half, shooting just wide from a tight angle, before Belhanda shot straight at Sirigu at the other end eight minutes later. Montpellier had plenty of possession, but they had a let-off in the 78th minute when Hoarau set up Javier Pastore, and the Argentinian striker shot wide of goal. The visitors deservedly took the lead in the 82nd minute when Giroud's cross found the head of Utaka and his effort just beat the grasp of the diving Sirigu. However, with pole position beckoning Montpellier were pegged back when good work by Jeremy Menez set up Hoarau for a simple six-yard tap-in.