Angers - OM (1-1) | Pegged back late on

OM spurned the chance to go third in Ligue 1 after a late goal condemned us to just a point against Angers SCO at Stade Raymond Kopa.

Rudi Garcia made a few changes from the Europa League semi-final on Thursday, with Dimitri Payet, Kostas Mitroglou and Morgan Sanson all named on the bench.

As was typical in recent weeks, OM scored first, and scored quickly. Valere Germain was tripped inside two minutes as the referee awarded the visitors a penalty. Up stepped Florian Thauvin who turned in from 12 yards after just three minutes.

From that moment on, Angers poured forward with Yohann Pelé producing several stops to deny in-form Karl Toko Ekambi and Pierrick Cappelle.

And the difficulties continued for OM well into the second half as Pelé produced numerous saves to keep Angers at arm’s length - most notably from Prince Oniangue’s stinging effort.

OM had their moments too, as Luiz Gustavo and Bouna Sarr both went close, while Lucas Ocampos’ cheeky lob over Ludovic Butelle was denied by the goalkeeper.

And, as it had been coming - Angers equalised from a corner situation. Traore giving the hosts a goal very important in their own relegation fight.

It nevertheless ended 1-1, as OM failed to capitalise on Monaco’s failure to win on Saturday. OM remain 4th, one behind the Monegasque side and two behind Lyon with three games to go.

But first, a date with destiny in the Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday against RB Salzburg.