Lyon point extends lead on Lens
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais moved even further clear at the top of Ligue 1 despite a draw at Valenciennes FC because RC Lens failed to win at Stade Rennais FC.
Article body
Olympique Lyonnais moved 17 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after a 0-0 draw at Valenciennes FC and RC Lens’ 1-0 defeat away to Stade Rennais FC.
Missed chances
Coach Gérard Houllier bemoaned his side's inability to take their chances and lack of spirit after the game despite losing Karim Benzema and Jérémy Toulalan to injury. By contrast the goalless draw for Valenciennes, their third on the trot at home, extended their unbeaten run to five games and kept them six points clear of the relegation zone.
Utaka winner
Lens’ setback came thanks to a John Utaka strike on 30 minutes, ending his run of four games without a goal, and it gave FC Sochaux-Montbéliard the chance to draw level with them in second spot on 49 points. However, they failed to take advantage as they drew 1-1 with OGC Nice. David Bellion (66) gave Nice the lead but Moumouni Dagano rescued a point for Sochaux. FC Girondins de Bordeaux, who started the day in fifth also missed a chance to move within two points of Lens as they were held to a goalless draw at AJ Auxerre.
Nantes suffer
At the bottom of the table, FC Nantes Atlantique’s hopes of avoiding the drop were defeated 2-1 at AS Saint Etienne. All the goals came in a six-minute spell in the first half with Nantes’ Mamadou Diallo cancelling out Vincent Hognon’s strike, only for Bafétibi Gomis to grab the winner. ES Troyes Aube Champagne remain in the bottom three after a 0-0 draw away to AS Monaco FC but Paris Saint-Germain FC gave themselves a three-point cushion with a 2-1 win at home to Le Mans UC 72. The visitors had taken a lead into the break through Grafite, but the hosts stormed back with Péguy Luyindula and Amara Diané turning the game on its head. Finally, a Rafik Saifi penalty was enough to give FC Lorient a 1-0 win at AS Nancy-Lorraine.