Lyon edge out of danger, more misery for Arles

Fallen French giants Lyon put last week’s Rhone Derby defeat behind them and edged out of the relegation zone after prevailing in a five-goal thriller against Nancy on Saturday.

Lyon are flying high in Europe after a midweek defeat of Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel left them top of their Champions League group and on target to make the knockout stages.

But it has been a markedly different story on the home front, with Claude Puel’s side in the uncustomary position of having only two teams below them hitting the road to Nancy.

So it was a case of smiles all round as a first half goal from Argentina striker Lisandro Lopez and Jimmy Briand’s second half double bagged a 3-2 win against their fellow strugglers.

Nancy made Lyon fight for the three points though as they twice came back to draw level with their goals coming from Andre Luiz Silva and Julien Feret.

The victory, only their second of the campaign, lifted Lyon out of danger but only just, going fourth from bottom above Nancy on goal difference.

One of the few sides that have endured more misery than Lyon this term has been promoted Arles-Avignon, who gave their new coach Faruk Hadzibegic no illusions as to the task he faces to keep them in the top flight after a 4-0 home crushing by Auxerre.

Auxerre, who had made Real Madrid fight for a 1-0 Champions League win on Tuesday, coasted to what was only their first win of the season with Alain Traore and captain Benoit Pedretti putting them two goals up before the break and Roy Contout and Slovenia striker Valter Birsa completing the rout.

Bordeaux’s season, while not as wretched as Lyon’s, has hardly been one of unfulfilled joy either and so their 1-0 win over Lorient will have been warmly received.

It was earned with the goal of the day, an audacious 30 metre lob from defender Mixhael Ciani which just ducked under the crossbar.

In other games Sochaux jumped to fifth with a 3-0 win against Lens. One point ahead in fourth are Brest, who are flying high thanks to a 1-0 victory at Monaco.

Saturday’s late game sees leaders Saint Etienne host champions Marseille.