Utaka’s Brace Crowns Montpellier French League Kings

Super Eagles returnees John Utaka scored twice to become a first time league winner on Sunday night as his French side Montpellier defeated Auxerre 2-1 at the Abbe Deschamps Stadium in Burgundy.

The game started with the visitors determined to take a point that would all but ensure they win the title ahead of Paris Saint Germain who were away to Lorient.

But it was the home team that took the lead through Olivier Kapo’s header from a corner kick on 20 minutes against the run of play.

Utaka restored parity for Montpellier with his goal on 32 mins from a defence splitting pass by Souleymane Camara for an easy tap in.

The home supporters then caused stoppage of the game after throwing tennis balls and toilet paper on to the pitch as the game was held up at the restart.

After several minutes of clearing up the pitch, the game was restarted but PSG had by now taken a 2-1 lead in the other game which kept Montpellier on the edge of their seats.

The unruly Auxerre supporters once again stopped the game as they threw flares on to the pitch. Riot police were then called in to disperse the spectators from the guilty terrace before the game was allowed to continue.

Montpellier’s patience was paid off by Utaka’s dexterity on the ball as he turned his marker to hit home a well deserved goal for his second of the night on 75 mins.

They then held on for the rest of the evening to win their first ever French top division title as Auxerre were relegated.