Bellion double inspires Bordeaux to top of league

A double by English Premier League failure David Bellion inspired Bordeaux to a 4-0 hammering of struggling Le Havre on Tuesday and to the top of the French league.

Bordeaux lead seven-time champions Lyon on goal difference, but Lyon can return to the top on Wednesday when they are away at Le Havre's fellow strugglers Sochaux.

Bellion, who scored just five times in 52 appearances in the Premier League for Sunderland, Manchester United and West Ham before returning to France and joining Nice in 2006, saw his deflected effort hit the back of the net in the 30th minute to open the scoring.

The 25-year-old added his second in the 48th minute, after being set up by Yoan Gouffran, to make up for three glaring misses in the first-half by Argentinian strike partner Fernando Cavenaghi.

The introduction of Moroccan substitute Marouane Chamakh in the 68th minute by Laurent Blanc had the desired effect as he set up the misfiring Cavenaghi for a goal 17 minutes from the end, while Brazilian Wendel rounded off the thrashing 10 minutes from the final whistle again thanks to the deft passing of Chamakh.

Blanc was relieved that firstly they had not dropped any points as they have done at home this season against St Etienne and Nice with two home draws and also really happy to have not conceded a goal.

“Between the Nice and the St Etienne matches at home, we dropped unnecessary points, and it was imperative we didn't lose more tonight (Tuesday),” said the former France central defender, who in his rookie season as a coach last term guided Bordeaux into the Champions League.

“There were a lot of good things tonight, apart from scoring four goals, we scored from open play, which is extra special and a good reward.

“We can take pleasure from the fact we are leaders, I wouldn't tell you anything else.”

In other matches on Wednesday, revived Paris Saint Germain host fellow highflyers Toulouse while Marseille, beaten 4-2 by PSG on Sunday, will bid to get back on the winning trail away at struggling Nantes.