UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Lyon regain stride as PSG slide

Members

Olympique Lyonnais recovered to win at RC Strasbourg and move seven points clear at the Ligue 1 summit as Paris Saint-Germain FC slipped ever nearer relegation.

Fabio Grosso (left) celebrates his second-half strike - it proved decisive
Fabio Grosso (left) celebrates his second-half strike - it proved decisive ©Getty Images

Seventh title
After two games without a win, Lyon helped ease their end-of-season nerves with a hard-fought victory in Alsace. Alain Perrin's men are hardly closing in on their seventh consecutive title in style, but they at least know how to triumph in adversity after allowing their hosts to score through Wason Rentería on 21 minutes. Lyon suffered another blow when Karim Benzema went off with a knee injury, but Eric Mouloungui's 45th-minute red card gave them hope and they reversed matters with headers from Mathieu Bodmer and Fabio Grosso midway through the second period.

Race for third
FC Girondins de Bordeaux will attempt to reduce the gap to four points at Toulouse FC on Sunday, when Olympique de Marseille will be looking to claim third place when they entertain LOSC Lille Métropole. The Mediterranean outfit are determined to finish in the UEFA Champions League berth currently occupied by AS Nancy-Lorraine, who did their own cause little good with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Le Mans UC 72 that left them a mere point clear of their pursuers.

Relegation issues
The real intrigue continues to unfold in the lower reaches of the table, however, with PSG slipping further towards the trap door after their punishing loss in Normandy. Paul Le Guen's charges remain 18th, but they are now three points away from safety after Aruna Dindane struck twice to earn 17th-placed RC Lens a crucial 3-2 success over FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. With just four matches left, PSG and 19th-placed Strasbourg will need to dig deep to avoid the same fate as already-relegated FC Metz, who earned a creditable goalless draw at AJ Auxerre.

Wiltord goal
That point took Auxerre a little further away from the relegation mix, and there was even greater relief for AS Monaco FC, who climbed to 13th courtesy of their 2-0 triumph at neighbours OGC Nice. Elsewhere, fifth-placed Stade Rennais FC had Sylvain Wiltord to thank for their 1-0 win over Valenciennes FC, while AS Saint-Etienne overcame FC Lorient by the same scoreline.