Loan watch: Pepe scores from the spot

It was the tale of two penalties as Lyon hosted Nicolas Pepe and Nice on Friday night in Ligue 1.

Pepe stepped up to the penalty spot in the first half and though he missed his first attempt after the goalkeeper deemed to have come off his line, he made no mistake with the retake. In the dying minutes, however, former Gunner Alexandre Lacazette equalised from 12 yards for Lyon to end the game 1-1. 

Nuno Tavares played the full 90 to help Marseille secure back-to-back victories in Ligue 1, as the fourth-place side overcame Monaco 3-2. Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun's Reims could only manage a 1-1 draw with Montpellier away from home, thanks to an injury-time equaliser from the hosts.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles made his seventh appearance for Southampton in their midweek Carabao Cup fixture as Saints saw off Sheffield Wednesday in a penalty shootout to head into the fourth round, with Maitland-Niles converting from the spot with consummate ease. He also made a substitute appearance as Nathan Jones' new side lost 3-1 to Liverpool in the Premier League.

Elsewhere in England, Charlie Patino got his second Championship assist for Blackpool in their 2-1 loss to Wigan Athletic. Auston Trusty made back-to-back 90-minute appearances for Birmingham City in their two league ties this week, but the Blues only recorded a draw with Swansea City and a loss to Sunderland. They are not back in action until December 10 when they travel to Blackpool to face Patino and co. 

Academy defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy was a half-time substitute for Rotherham United as they drew 1-1 with Luton Town in the Championship. Harry Clarke's Stoke City side had better luck against Luton in midweek, defeating the Hatters 2-0, but they were then beaten by struggling West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. Clarke played the full 90 minutes in both fixtures.

High-flying striker Tyreece John-Jules has unfortunately suffered a significant injury blow whilst playing in League One. Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna confirmed that John-Jules is "under specialist review" to determine whether his major hamstring tear will require surgery. 

In League Two, Arthur Okonkwo pulled off a brilliant performance between the posts for Crewe Alexandra to keep a clean sheet in their victory over Colchester United. Unlike the Championship, League One and Two will continue throughout the World Cup break.

Alex Runarsson also kept a clean sheet for Alanyaspor as they recorded a 0-0 draw with Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Super Lig. 

Up in Scotland, Ayr United extended their lead in the Scottish Championship after a 3-2 victory over Hamilton. Alex Kirk played the whole game as a centre-back for the league leaders.

Our two academy youngsters in La Liga 2, Marcelo Flores and Miguel Azeez, played the majority of their games for Real Oviedo and Ibiza respectively at the weekend, with both sides recording victories.