Moses Simon played his part as Paris FC continued their remarkable Ligue 1 season with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at AJ Auxerre on Saturday night, a result that lifted the newly promoted side up to second in the French top flight.
The Super Eagles winger started the match at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps and put in a solid shift on the flank before making way for Luca Koleosho in the 66th minute. It was his eighth appearance of the campaign, and he has now registered one assist this season.
Paris FC dominated the contest from start to finish, controlling 66 per cent of the possession and restricting Auxerre to just two shots on target all evening. But for all their control, the visitors had to wait until after the break to find the breakthrough.
Lassine Sinayoko provided it. The striker finished off a slick assist from Pablo Pagis in the second half, coming back to haunt his former club with the only goal of the game. Auxerre pushed for a late equaliser, but Paris FC’s defence held firm to preserve the slender lead until the final whistle and claim all three points on the road.
Simon’s steady season keeps paying off
Simon has quietly become one of the most reliable performers in this Paris FC side. He may not have scored yet this season, but his work on the wing — stretching defences, tracking back and linking play — has been a constant in a team that keeps surprising people in France.
Saturday’s win was the latest statement from a club many expected to struggle after promotion. Paris FC followed up last weekend’s impressive 3-1 home win over Monaco with another disciplined away performance, and the reward is a place in the top two of Ligue 1, at least until the rest of the weekend’s fixtures are played.
For Simon, the timing could hardly be better. The 31-year-old was named in Eric Chelle’s 24-man Super Eagles squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, and he will head into the international break in form and full of minutes. Nigeria host Tanzania in Uyo on Friday, 13 November, before the return leg in Zanzibar four days later.
Paris FC’s dream run continues
Few gave Paris FC much chance of competing at this level when the season began, but their start has been one of the stories of the European season. They are organised, hard to beat and dangerous on the break — and Saturday’s win at Auxerre showed they can also grind out results when the game is tight.
Sinayoko’s winner was the difference on the night, but the clean sheet told its own story. Auxerre barely threatened, and Paris FC’s control of the ball meant the home side spent most of the evening chasing shadows. Elsewhere on Saturday, Umar Sadiq’s Valencia were beaten 3-0 at home by Real Madrid, a reminder that not every Nigerian abroad enjoyed the weekend.
The challenge now is to stay there. With the international break coming up, Paris FC will return to action with a target on their backs and every opponent knowing exactly what they are capable of. On the evidence of Saturday night, they will not be an easy side to stop.
For Moses Simon Paris FC fans, Saturday was another reminder of how much the winger offers even when he does not score. His eight appearances, his assist and his willingness to track back have made him a trusted part of the side, and his form ahead of the Tanzania qualifiers gives Nigeria a reliable option on the flank. If Paris FC keep this level, the Moses Simon Paris FC story will only grow.
For more on the weekend’s football, check today’s predictions.
Photos: SonoGrazy, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) — collage by SportsBuddy.
