Lyon win record fifth crown
Afp, Paris
Lyon were crowned French champions for a record fifth successive year on Saturday after their closest pursuers Bordeaux were beaten 3-2 at Lille.The champions did not even have to kick a ball to ensure victory as they clinched the title with five games in hand and ahead of Sunday's trip to Paris Saint Germain. Lyon have now an unbeatable 14-point advantage on Bordeaux as Lille move up to third position. Lille came out fighting in front of their home crowd with Mathieu Bodmer and Peter Odemwingie giving the hosts a two-goal advantage in the first six minutes of play. Bodmer found the net after two minutes when he finished off a long free-kick from Mathieu Chalme. It was then the turn of Odemwingie four minutes later when Bodmer headed the ball in his direction and the Nigerian outfoxed Brazilian defender Carlos Henrique to leave Bordeaux captain Ulrich Rame beaten in goal. The visitors pulled one back after 16 minutes with Jean-Claude Darcheville converting a penalty after a foul by the Lille goalie Tony Sylva. But Odemwingie was on target again after 31 minutes profitting from bad clearance by the Bordeaux defence to finish off with a superb volley. Bordeaux's fortunes picked up in the second half with Brazilian Denilson setting up Julien Faubert for a strike past Sylva which reduced the deficit after 62 minutes. But Lille kept pressing with Odemwingie missing his chance for a hat-trick when he found himself alone on front of Rame after 67 minutes but failed to finish off.
|