Lyon go top of Ligue 1 after defeating Bastia

Lyon went back to the top of Ligue 1 on Wednesday, two points in front of Paris Saint-Germain, after second-half goals from substitute Mohamed Yattara and captain Alexandre Lacazette sealed a 2-0 win at home against struggling Bastia.

PSG are now second two points behind Lyon but have a game in hand and could reclaim top spot when they host second-from-bottom Metz on April 28.

The defending champions are in Champions League action against Barcelona in their first-leg quarter-final, also on Wednesday.

Lyon are six points ahead of third-placed Monaco and seven on Marseille who are fourth after 32 matches.

"I was unhappy after the first half despite our good start but it was better after half-time," said Lyon coach Hubert Fournier.

"We had to be patient and not concede a goal, like we did against Nice, but we knew we would get chances.

"It was a team victory and will serve us in good stead for the end of the season but it also shows the group are working well at the moment.

"We're six matches from the end of the season and we're still there but now we have a very interesting match to play and prepare for on Sunday (against Saint-Etienne). After that we'll be able to see clearer." added the coach.

Lyon pushed hard in the first half creating several chances but came up against a tough Bastia defense and inspired goalkeeping from Alphonse Aerola.

The hosts had to wait until a flurry in the final fifteen minutes to wrap up the three points as the Corsicans wilted following their 4-0 League Cup final defeat against PSG on Saturday.

Yattara gave Lyon the advantage after 77 minutes when he picked up a Clement Grenier cross following a poorly cleared corner from the visiting defence.

It was Grenier's first match since last August after suffering a groin injury and he had come on 15 minutes earlier in place of Steed Malbranque, while Yattara was on the pitch just two minutes in place of Nabil Fekir when he found the net.

Eight minutes later Lacazette made it 2-0 after picking up a centre from Clinton Njie for his league-leading 25th Ligue 1 goal of the season, equalling the record of Lyon's Andre Guy back in the 1968-1969 season.

"I've always said, we need to wait until the last three matches to decide the title but what is good about today is to open the gap on our rivals besides Paris," said Lacazette.

"Now we have to prepare for Sunday but it's always easier to prepare following a victory." he added.

"It's a great happiness and deep pride to equal Andre Guy's record for goals in a season." Now I want to beat that record and Sunday will give me that chance."

The goals confirmed Lyon's domination of the match, following a disappointing first half.

Only Jordan Ferri (6), Njie (42) and a Fekir free kick just before the break had in any way threatened Areola, while Lacazette missed a shot off a Malbranque centre after 41 minuets.

The defeat is another blow for Bastia who have taken just one point from a possible 12 in their last four matches and remain in 14th just two points above the drop zone, as they host Reims on Saturday in a game which could be crucial to their top flight status next season.
Source: AFP