Lyon held by struggling Nancy
Last Updated: December 12, 2012 10:23pm
Michel Bastos (l): Scored Lyon's equaliser
Michel Bastos rescued Lyon from an embarrassing result as the Ligue 1 leaders came from behind to share a draw with bottom club Nancy.
Despite being 35 points better off than their opponents, and having home advantage, Les Gones found themselves trailing to a Jordan Loties goal in the second half.
However, Bastos struck eight minutes from time to consolidate Lyon's position at the top, while the result also lifts Nancy off the foot of the standings.
Remi Garde's Lyon came into the match on the back of three successive victories but the visitors had won just once all season and drawn their last four.
However, it was Nancy who created the first chance after eight minutes, with Yohan Mollo's 30-yard free-kick headed goalwards by Loties and blocked on the line by goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre.
Lyon responded with a low drive from Bafetimbis Gomis which was well held by Damien Gregorini in the Nancy goal, before Vercoutre was called back into the action to punch away a powerful shot from Djamel Bakar.
Nancy continued to drive forward for the rest of the half and Lyon had Vercoutre to thank for keeping them on level terms, with saves to deny Lossemy Karaboue and another header from Loties.
The visitors threatened again after the interval but Vercoutre once more proved equal to the challenge in turning away a low strike from Loties.
The defender eventually made the breakthrough for Nancy in the 74th minute, though. Mollo's free-kick was met at the far post by Salif Sane, but although his header was fisted away by Vercoutre, Loties provided a cool finish from close range.
A shock result appeared to be on the cards at Stade Gerland until Bastos came to the rescue nine minutes later, combining with Steed Malbranque before beating Gregorini with a low 20-yard drive.
Matches
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French Ligue 1
Table
French Ligue 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris St Germain | 38 | 83 |
| 2 | Marseille | 38 | 71 |
| 3 | Lyon | 38 | 67 |
| 4 | Nice | 38 | 64 |
| 5 | St Etienne | 38 | 63 |
| 6 | Lille | 38 | 62 |
| 7 | Bordeaux | 38 | 55 |
| 8 | Lorient | 38 | 53 |
| 9 | Montpellier | 38 | 52 |
| 10 | Toulouse | 38 | 51 |
| 11 | Valenciennes | 38 | 48 |
| 12 | Bastia | 38 | 47 |
| 13 | Rennes | 38 | 46 |
| 14 | Reims | 38 | 43 |
| 15 | Sochaux | 38 | 41 |
| 16 | Evian Thonon Gaillar | 38 | 40 |
| 17 | AC Ajaccio | 38 | 40 |
| 18 | Nancy | 38 | 38 |
| 19 | Troyes | 38 | 37 |
| 20 | Brest | 38 | 29 |
