Sun Mar 30 16:55:32 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Lyon moves a step closer to the title

---

Valenciennes, France (Sports Network) - Lyon's quest for a seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title was boosted on Sunday as the club recorded a 2-1 win at Valenciennes.

The win restores Lyon's nine-point lead over second-place Bordeaux, who earned a 2-1 win over third-place Nancy on Saturday.

Kader Keita got the visitors off to a great start when he scored the opener eight minutes into the match.

Valenciennes defender Eric Chelle nodded home the equalizer in the 27th minute from a corner, but Keita set up the game winner in the 64th minute for French striker Sidney Govou.

With seven games to play, Lyon looks to be well on its way to another title. The team faces a tough away contest at Marseille next week, but should have little difficulty in hanging on after that.

At the other end of the table, Toulouse got three valuable points with a 2-0 win over last-place Metz. Achille Emana scored both goals for Toulouse, which is now only one point from safety.

Auxerre knocked off Lille 2-0, Le Mans was held to a 1-1 draw by Caen, Sochaux's Romain Pitau scored in the 88th minute to give his club a 1-0 win, and fourth-place Marseille got a goal from Mamadou Niang in the 80th minute to beat Lorient 2-1.