Ligue 1 wrap: Marseille hold Lyon, Brown saves Bordeaux

Lyon missed a chance to go top of Ligue 1 after being held to a 1-1 draw by Marseille on Sunday, while Sochaux also drew with Bordeaux.

The basement scrap between Caen and Lens fell victim to the freezing conditions sweeping northern Europe, as did Lille’s match at home to Nancy-Lorraine.

With the league leaders out of action, Lyon needed to win away to defending champions Marseille to go top by a point.

The visitors got off to a good start when Lisandro Lopez was found unmarked by Michel Bastos, the Argentine striking a clean finish past Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda on 35 minutes.

Lyon retained the lead going into the half-time break at the Stade Velodrome, before the hosts hit back early in the second half.

Benoit Cheyrou delivered the ball to France international Mathieu Valbuena, who flicked the ball beyond Lyon shot-stopper Hugo Lloris for the equaliser in the 50th minute.

Lyon blew a great chance to restore their lead 10 minutes later, when Jean II Makoun put in Bafetembi Gomis, only for the former St Etienne man to strike wide of the post.

The draw leaves Lyon fourth, one point behind the three teams tied on 31 points, while Marseille are two points back in fifth.

Elsewhere, Bordeaux played out a 1-1 draw away to fellow mid-table side Sochaux.

Jean Tigana’s away team got off to a good start at the Stade Bonal and enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.

They were soon in front when Jussie Ferreira Vieira took advantage of a mix-up between Damien Perquis and goalkeeper Pierrick Cros to head home from the back post in the 28th minute.

Conceding appeared to jolt Sochaux into life and they received instant dividends from their first real foray into the opposition half.

Modibo Maiga played Marvin Martin into the area and the midfielder produced an excellent cut-back for Ideye Brown to equalise on 35 minutes.

Bordeaux survived a late scare when Martin drew a remarkable save from Cedric Carrasso and while Yoann Gouffran appeared to handle the rebound, no penalty was forthcoming.

Bordeaux are ninth on 26 points, while Sochaux are a point worse off in 11th.