Montpellier's relegation worries were eased slightly after a 1-1 draw against FC Nantes on Friday night, with Nigerian youngster Jerome Akor Adams finally ending his goal drought.

Adams, 24, had not found the net since a brace against Toulouse, but he silenced his critics with a clinical finish just two minutes into the Ligue 1 encounter at Stade de la Mosson. However, his joy was short-lived as Nantes responded swiftly through Matthis Abline in the 7th minute.

The goal marked a welcome return to form for the former Lillestrom poster boy, who had publicly expressed his confidence in rediscovering his scoring touch before the season's end. Speaking to Afrik Foot pre-match, he boldly declared his intention to net in three of Montpellier's remaining four fixtures, a target he will undoubtedly strive to achieve in the coming weeks.

"I am looking to finish the league strong, keep Montpellier top, or keep Montpellier in Ligue 1 where I met them, and hopefully get some goals at the end of the season," the striker said.

"We have four games to go, and I hope to get two or three goals in those games.

A mainstay for Montpellier despite early substitution Despite his impressive early goal, Adams' night wasn't all sunshine. The 24-year-old striker was substituted in the 69th minute, making way for Franco-Ivorian forward Yann Karamoh.

According to statistics website SofaScore, The Benue-born forward has been a mainstay for the La Paillade this season, featuring in 29 league games so far. Even more impressive is his starting record, having received the nod from the manager in 25 of those matches.

His average playing time per game sits at a respectable 72 minutes, highlighting his importance to Montpellier's tactical setup.

While the draw does little to alter Montpellier's precarious position in the table, Adams' performance offered a glimmer of hope for a side battling to avoid the drop. His compatriot, Moses Simon, was a notable absentee for Nantes, ruled out with a fractured fibula sustained during Nigeria's international friendly defeat to Mali in March. Simon's absence is a significant blow to the Canaries' attacking threat, and he faces a three-month recovery period.

The result leaves both sides with work to do. The Mosson district-based club must continue their fight for survival, while Simon's Nantes will hope to manage their remaining fixtures without their influential winger. However, the individual brilliance of Adams offers a positive sign for Montpellier, suggesting they may yet have the firepower to move away from the relegation zone.

Akor Adams: A season of contrasts In his debut season in French club football, Adams has been a revelation for Montpellier, racking up a commendable ten goals and two assists across 30 appearances in all competitions. This impressive return comes after breaking a goal drought that began in January 2024, or October 2023 if considering only league matches.

However, it's worth noting that Adams' early struggles represent a stark contrast to his blistering start to the campaign. Following his move from Lillestrom in Norway, the former Flying Eagles star took Ligue 1 by storm.

His red-hot form even saw him included in the prestigious European Golden Shoe conversation, a testament to his prolific goalscoring. It's important to remember, however, that some of those goals came before his arrival in France.

Player of the Month award and European recognition While his current scoring slump might raise eyebrows, it's important to consider the context of Adams' overall performance this season. Fifteen of his initial 23 goals came during his time at Lillestrom in the Norwegian Eliteserien, a league with a lower coefficient (1.5) compared to France's Ligue 1 (2). This means goals scored in Ligue 1 hold more weight when calculating statistics for the European Golden Shoe Award.

Despite this distinction, Adams' early success in France was undeniable. He quickly established himself as a key player for Montpellier, even earning Player of the Month honors for October. This recognition was undoubtedly significant for the young striker adapting to a new life in a new city. However, his hot streak unfortunately came to an end shortly thereafter.

Relegation battle Friday's 1-1 draw sees Michel Der Zakarian's Montpellier side climb to 12th place on the 18-team Ligue 1 table. With 37 points, they sit just nine points clear of the relegation zone. A victory in one of their remaining matches would all but guarantee another season of top-flight French football for Adams and his teammates.