Lyon go top after PSG flop

PARIS (AFP) –

Lyon’s French forward Bafetimbi Gomis celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Olympique Lyonnais (OL) vs Stade de Reims on November 18 at the Gerland Stadium in Lyon, central-eastern France. Lyon moved provisionally out in front in the French league title race on Sunday after a 3-0 home win over promoted Reims.

Lyon moved provisionally out in front in the French league title race on Sunday after a 3-0 home win over promoted Reims and after previous leaders Paris Saint Germain had slumped Saturday to a home loss to nine-man Rennes.

An Anthony Weber own goal on the stroke of half-time set Lyon, who won all of their seven league crowns consecutively between 2002 and 2008, on their way and Bafetimbi Gomis, who struck the winner for France in midweek in their friendly away to Italy, hit the clincher with 17 minutes remaining.

Argentinian striker Lisandro added the gloss with the third in the final minute with his fifth goal of the campaign.

The three points moved Lyon provisionally two points clear of PSG, who were lethergic in the extreme on Saturday in bowing 2-1 to a Rennes side who had Benoit Costil and Cameroon midfielder Jean II Makoun dismissed in quick succession but who held on after Julien Feret’s freekick before the reak proved to be the winner.

PSG were missing suspended Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose side have now dropped eight points from their past three games, said there could be no excuses.

“It’s incredible – we didn’t have a good attitude out there. Something will change – the attitude of the players will change. I am very annoyed,” said the Italian.

Sunday brought reports that the capital club, who at least can each the last 16 of the Champions League with a point in midweek in Kiev, may be ready to jettison Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore, bought from Palermo before the start of last season for 40 million euros but who is woefully short of form.

There is talk in Paris he may soon return to Italy.

Marseille, title winners in 2010, were expecting to take advantage of PSG’s slip later Sunday and move a point clear of Lyon with a win at Bordeaux.

But their hosts, the 2009 champions, knew a win could move them second – and a point clear of their opponents.

Sunday’s other encounter pitted struggling Nice against a Toulouse side who have designs on the top four – at start of play they trailed fourth-placed Saint Etienne by three points.

Elsewhere Saturday, Saint Etienne missed out on going top for a few hours after they were held 2-2 at modest Evian despite a double from Ivorian striker Max Gradel.

And reigning champions Montpellier, just three wins in their opening dozen league games and already out of contention in their maiden season in the Champions League, could only manage a 1-1 draw at Valenciennes, who stay fifth.