Gourcuff blow as Lyon go top

PARIS (AFP) –

Lyon’s forward Bafetimbi Gomis (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during their French L1 football match against Troyes at the Gerland Stadium in Lyon. Gomis scored a double as Lyon moved top of Ligue 1 with a 4-1 home win against promoted Troyes.

Bafetimbi Gomis scored a double as Lyon moved top of Ligue 1 with a 4-1 home win against promoted Troyes on Saturday despite midfielder Yoann Gourcuff hobbling off injured.

Gourcuff had been in top form since returning to training early last month but was forced off the pitch after just six minutes with a suspected right knee sprain and was replaced by Clement Grenier who had a positive impact on the match.

Despite the hosts dominating action Troyes took the lead when on loan Paris Saint Germain striker Jean-Christophe Bahebeck picked up a Fabrice N’Sakala cross from the left wing after 47 minutes.

But Gomis pulled the hosts level four minutes later when he headed in off a Grenier corner. Brazilian striker Michel Bastos gave Lyon their second on 66 minutes with an acrobatic pick up of a Yohann Thuram-Ulien cross which he blasted into the goal.

Argentinian Lisandro Lopez (88) was also on target before Gomis added his second for good measure two minutes into injury time to ensure Lyon won their opening two games for the first time since the 2005-2006 season.

Lyon are two points ahead of Lille who began life in their impressive new stadium on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Nancy in Ligue 1.

It was a second loss for Troyes after last year’s 1-0 home loss to Valenciennes.

Champions Montpellier will travel to Lorient later Saturday, while PSG travel to Ajaccio on Sunday evening looking for a first win of the season.