Modibo Maiga's hat-trick led Metz to a 3-1 comeback victory over fellow strugglers Toulouse at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Ligue 1 this evening.
Following a tame start to the encounter, Toulouse moved in front on 17 minutes when Wissam Ben Yedder converted high into the centre of goal after Aleksandar Pesic had led a perfectly-timed counter.
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The away side's lead was to last just two minutes, though, as Metz replied through Maiga, who slotted home from the centre of the box after Toulouse failed to clear Jose Luis Palomino's corner.
Maiga was presented with the chance to grab his side's second of the game just before the break as Gaetan Bussmann produced an enterprising pass, leaving the striker to finish confidently past Ali Ahamada.
The home side started the second half with great intent and soon grabbed another goal as Florent Malouda picked out Maiga, who finished across the face of goal to complete his hat-trick within 54 minutes.
Toulouse's Martin Braithwaite might have set up a tense finish with six minutes to go, but he could not get past the solid Anthony Mfa Mezui in the centre of the Metz goal.
The visitors did managed to pull one back in injury time, but Tongo Hamed Doumbia's effort proved to be a mere consolation as Metz ran out 3-2 winners on home soil.
Christopher Dodd
