体坛英语新闻：Fabregas' Monaco debut ends in 1-1 tie with Marseille

PARIS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas witnessed his Monaco debut end in a 1-1 draw at Marseille in the 20th round of Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Fabregas, who had played in Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea, joined the French league strugglers during the winter transfer window.

He was named into the starting lineup along with other new recruits Naldo and Fode Ballo-Toure.

Marseille went ahead 13 minutes into the match. After their free-kick was cleared to outside the box, Maxime Lopez saw his powerful shot beat goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

Captain Youri Tielemans had his response in the 38th minute by pressing forward to sweep home for the visitors.

Florian Thauvin thought that he moved Marseille ahead again in the 70th minute, but it was finally ruled out after match referee consulted VAR to judge Lucas Ocampos' foul on Benaglio prior to Thauvin's goal.

Both sides wasted glorious chances to kill the game, only to share one point apiece. Monaco sit second from bottom, while Marseille rank ninth.

In Antoine Kombouare's first game in charge, Dijon built their advantage in the 54th minute. Wesley Said did well on the ball following several consecutive passes from teammates.

However, it just took Montpellier seven minutes to find an equalizer, as Damien Le Tallec jumped highest to nod Florent Mollet's cross at the far post.

After finishing the match 1-1, Montpellier miss the chance to move up to third, sitting fifth on the table. Dijon is one place ahead of Monaco with a three-point margin.

Also on Sunday, Damien Da Silva's goal lifted Rennes past Nantes 1-0. Toulouse lost to Strasbourg 2-1.

PSG sit atop the table 13 points clear of Lille with a 3-0 road victory over Amiens on Saturday.