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Bordeaux slip up in attempt to catch table-topping Lyon

Bordeaux forward Fernando Cavenaghi, top, vies with Lille midfielder Antonio Mavuba during their match at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, France, on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

High-flying Bordeaux slipped up in their bid to overhaul champions Lyon, being held to a goalless draw at home by Lille in French league action on Sunday.

Bordeaux had started the weekend one point behind the seven-time champions.

But Lyon pulled three points ahead after a double from Brazilian striker Fred gave them a 2-0 win at home to bottom-of-the-table Metz on Saturday.

Bordeaux failed to make the most of their home advantage in a dour showing at their Jacques Chaban-Delmas stadium against 14th-placed Lille.

The European hopes of Eric Gerets' Marseille were also dented as they dropped to fifth after being held 0-0 at relegation-threatened Toulouse in the first of Sunday's two games.

Despite missing defenders Gael Givet and Laurent Bonnart because of flu, Gerets paid dearly for opting to leave strikers Djibril Cisse and Mamadou Niang and midfielder Mathieu Valbuena on the bench for the first half.

Gerets remained upbeat despite the setback.

"I'm not talking about the Champions League because you have to remember how far Marseille has come. When I began my work we were in the last three," he said.

The hosts were fresher than a Marseille side that booked their place in the UEFA Cup last 16 days earlier and held on for a point, albeit their seventh draw in the past eight home games.
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