Lyon vs Reims. French Ligue 1.
Municipal De Gerland.
Monday 19 November 2012 14:46, UK
Lyon moved provisionally to the top of the Ligue 1 standings with a 3-0 victory over Reims at the Stade de Gerland.
Lyon moved provisionally to the top of the Ligue 1 standings with an emphatic victory over Reims at the Stade de Gerland. Anthony Weber's own goal on the stroke of half-time set Les Gones on their way, and Bafetimbi Gomis doubled the hosts' advantage in the 73rd minute before Lisandro Lopez sealed matters at the death. The result lifted Remi Garde's team two points above Paris St Germain, who lost 2-1 at home to Rennes on Saturday night, and Marseille, who visit Bordeaux tonight. Lyon almost took a fortuitous lead in the 12th minute when Yoann Gourcuff's speculative effort took a deflection and looped over Kossi Agassa, but the Reims goalkeeper scrambled back to turn the ball away for a corner. The mid-table visitors went close themselves 10 minutes before the interval when Julien Toudic picked out Diego at the far post, but the Brazilian's acrobatic effort sailed over the bar. And, soon after, the home team took the lead. Anthony Reveillere latched onto Lisandro's pass and directed a cross towards Alexandre Lacazette at the near post. Weber got there first but could only divert the ball into his own net. Lacazette should have made the points safe before the hour mark when he lashed over the bar when well placed following good work on the left by Gomis. The second goal did arrive 17 minutes from time, though - and it was very nearly another Reims player on the scoresheet for Lyon. Steed Malbranque pulled the ball across the six-yard box, where it was met by visiting midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. His blushes were spared as the ball crashed off the bar, but Gomis was on hand to poke home the rebound. Agassa made a superb double save in the 82nd minute to keep it at 2-0, first getting down to keep out a dangerous 20-yard strike from Malbranque and then getting a firm hand to Lisandro's follow-up effort from point-blank range. But Lyon did add a third in the final minute to seal the rout. Malbranque combined with substitute Clinton Njie before releasing Lisandro, who fired a right-footed shot across a helpless Agassa.
