Lyon joined Marseille at the top of the French first division on Sunday after a Karim Benzema special earned the champions a 1-0 win in the derby tie at Saint Etienne.
The fast rising star of French soccer struck in the 55th minute with a low right-footed curving shot that eluded the diving Jody Viviani to slip in by the far post. Benzema was replaced by Frederic Piquionne in the 73rd minute and the substitute almost struck gold with his first kick of the game, Viviani doing well to edge his shot from the right over the crossbar.
Benzema’s goal had the twin effect of lifting Lyon up to 10 points and on level pegging with Marseille, 2-1 winners over Sochaux 24 hours earlier, and of maintaining their unbeaten record at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium that stretches back to the 1993-1994 season. The hardly unexpected defeat left Saint Etienne third from bottom.
Earlier on Sunday, Bordeaux, touted as serious contenders to Lyon this season, lost ground on the leaders with a 2-1 loss at Lille for their second away defeat of the campaign.
Last season’s runners-up traveled north eyeing a welcome three points against a Lille side that had gone three games without a win. But they left without a point to slip to seventh.
Bordeaux went into a 28th minute lead with a fine piece of individual skill from Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi, who controlled the ball with his chest before shooting past Gregory Malicki.
Lille were back on level terms four minutes later after defender Adil Rami set up Michel Bastos, and Ludovik Obraniak inflicted the killer blow in the final quarter of an hour.
Sunday’s other early match resulted in a goalless draw between Toulouse and Rennes.
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