France round-up: Juninho gives Lyon the edge

Reigning French champions Olympique Lyonnais went top of Le Championnat tonight after a 1-0 win against previously unbeaten RC Lens in a repeat of last season's title decider.

Tight encounter
A tight encounter was settled by Juninho Pernambucano's excellent 32nd-minute goal for the hosts. Lens goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz managed to parry Juninho's first shot but the Brazilian was offered a second chance straight away after another foul on striker Sidney Govou and he easily beat Warmuz.

Sibierski chance
In the second half, Lens had the best chance when Antoine Sibierski, returning from injury, went narrowly wide with a 65th-minute header. Last May, Lyon beat Lens 3-1 on the final day of the French season to claim the first tile in their history.

Up four places
The win moved Lyon, who begin their UEFA Champions League campaign next Tuesday against AFC Ajax, on to eleven points from six games and up four places in the standings. However, they may well find themselves deposed tomorrow night when high-flying OGC Nice, AJ Auxerre and Paris Saint-Germain FC are among the sides in action. Lens begin their own Champions League campaign next week against Milan AC.