TNT Sports
Lyon clinch top two spot
By
Published 01/04/2006 at 23:04 GMT+1
Lyon made sure of playing in the Champions League next season with a 1-0 victory at strugglers Troyes in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The win put the leaders 18 points ahead of third-placed Lille, who have five games left, and means Lyon will finish in the top two and go directly into the group stage.
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The third-placed team has to enter the qualifying round of European club soccer's premier competition.
Portugal midfielder Tiago gave Lyon a victory that sent them closer to a record fifth consecutive title.
They are 12 points clear of second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who have seven games left including their visit to Paris St Germain on Sunday.
Former Chelsea player Tiago, who will miss Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final return with AC Milan at the San Siro through suspension, headed home from a corner after 77 minutes in one of the few highlights of a relatively dull game.
Lyon, hoping to reach the European Cup semi-finals for the first time, drew 0-0 with Milan in Lyon last Wednesday.
"It wasn't a great match but it's a good result," said Lyon coach Gerard Houllier. "This isn't a bad way to prepare for Tuesday."
FINE SAVES
Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, who denied Milan with a faultless show on Wednesday, was again instrumental to the win against Troyes with a couple of fine saves.
Lille, surprise runners-up last season, held on to third place with a 1-1 home draw with Auxerre.
Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie opened the scoring for the hosts after 22 minutes. Forward Peguy Luyindula put Auxerre level with a superb shot from distance five minutes later.
Racing Lens climbed two places to fourth with a 1-0 win at lowly Metz courtesy of a first-half penalty by striker Pierre-Alain Frau.
Lens finished with 10 men after Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for slapping Metz midfielder Abdelnasser Ouadah's in the face after 66 minutes.
Metz, who stay second from bottom, kept pushing for an equaliser and were awarded a penalty in added time but Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje saved Gregory Proment's effort.
Lyon top the standings with 72 points from 32 games, followed by Bordeaux, on 60 points from 31 matches, and Lille, with 54 from 33 matches.
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