Saturday, February 18, 2006
Juninho puts Lyon back on winning trail.
PARIS, (Reuters) - Inspirational playmaker Juninho scored one goal and set up another to put Olympique Lyon back on the winning trail with a 3-1 victory over Nantes on Friday.
The champions clinched their first Ligue 1 success in over a month after being held to three consecutive draws.
After 26 matches Lyon are 10 points clear of second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who face a tricky challenge at struggling AC Ajaccio on Saturday.
Despite kicking off the weekend programme, Lyon have played the same number of games as Bordeaux because their outing at Monaco on Jan. 29 was postponed due to a flooded pitch.
The victory was a relief for Gerard Houllier's injury-hit team, whose form has been patchy in recent weeks.
Lyon had a 14-point cushion in mid-January but it had been whittled down to seven after successive draws with AJ Auxerre, Bordeaux and Racing Lens.
The win was also a timely boost for Lyon, who are preparing for a tough trip to PSV Eindhoven in the opening leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie on Tuesday.
They are eager to avenge a penalty shootout defeat to the Dutch side in the Champions League quarter-finals last year.
On Friday, Lyon were the first to pose a threat against visiting Nantes with Juninho, who was captain in the absence of the injured Claudio Cacapa, showing the way to goal.
The Brazilian slotted home a superb 20-metre free-kick in the ninth minute, his first Ligue 1 goal since Oct. 22 when Lyon demolished Metz 4-0 away.
Juninho then provided a fine cross for fellow midfielder Mahamadou Diarra to volley home from close range in the 35th.
Prodigious striker Fred, without a goal for over a month, also found his scoring touch again as he wrapped up the points before the hour mark. Mamadou Diallo got a consolation goal for Nantes 15 minutes from time.
The champions clinched their first Ligue 1 success in over a month after being held to three consecutive draws.
After 26 matches Lyon are 10 points clear of second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who face a tricky challenge at struggling AC Ajaccio on Saturday.
Despite kicking off the weekend programme, Lyon have played the same number of games as Bordeaux because their outing at Monaco on Jan. 29 was postponed due to a flooded pitch.
The victory was a relief for Gerard Houllier's injury-hit team, whose form has been patchy in recent weeks.
Lyon had a 14-point cushion in mid-January but it had been whittled down to seven after successive draws with AJ Auxerre, Bordeaux and Racing Lens.
The win was also a timely boost for Lyon, who are preparing for a tough trip to PSV Eindhoven in the opening leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie on Tuesday.
They are eager to avenge a penalty shootout defeat to the Dutch side in the Champions League quarter-finals last year.
On Friday, Lyon were the first to pose a threat against visiting Nantes with Juninho, who was captain in the absence of the injured Claudio Cacapa, showing the way to goal.
The Brazilian slotted home a superb 20-metre free-kick in the ninth minute, his first Ligue 1 goal since Oct. 22 when Lyon demolished Metz 4-0 away.
Juninho then provided a fine cross for fellow midfielder Mahamadou Diarra to volley home from close range in the 35th.
Prodigious striker Fred, without a goal for over a month, also found his scoring touch again as he wrapped up the points before the hour mark. Mamadou Diallo got a consolation goal for Nantes 15 minutes from time.
