Nantes return to winning ways and close on PSG

Nantes have responded to last week’s home defeat by Toulouse and remain firmly in the title race. Their success at Dunkerque, combined with Montpellier’s draw against Chambéry, leaves them alone in second place in the Daikin StarLigue, two points behind unbeaten leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Nantes won 31-24 after taking control early with a 5-0 opening run. Dunkerque reduced the deficit to two goals during the first half, but the visitors reached the interval five ahead. Nantes then extended their advantage to seven before a four-goal spell from Dunkerque brought the hosts back into contention. The gap stayed at four or five goals for much of the closing stages, before Nantes scored the final three goals to secure the seven-goal margin.

Thibaud Briet led Nantes with six goals from seven attempts, while Ian Tarrafeta scored five times and Nicolas Tournat added four without missing a shot. Diogo de Abreu Oliveira was Dunkerque’s main threat with 10 goals from 13 efforts, but the result left the club bottom after five defeats in five matches.

Montpellier, beaten by Nantes two weeks earlier, could only draw 25-25 at home to Chambéry. The hosts recovered from a six-goal deficit but failed to complete the comeback, allowing Nantes to move clear in second. Chambéry gained a point after protecting its advantage through much of the match.