Lorient boost Euro hopes

Lorient breathed life back into their fading European hopes with a convincing 4-1 victory over in-form Bastia.

Lorient breathed life back into their fading European hopes with a convincing 4-1 victory over in-form Bastia. Christian Gourcuff's Lorient had slipped down to eighth after winning just once in six matches but they picked up a valuable three-point haul thanks to goals from Yann Jouffre, Benjamin Corgnet and a late brace from Jeremie Aliadiere. Mid-table Bastia, who had won four of their previous five matches and scored 12 goals in their last three, had pulled a goal back when 2-0 down through Anthony Modeste but that was all they had to show for their trip to the Stade du Moustoir. The two clubs could hardly have had more contrasting results last weekend with Lorient crashing to a 5-0 defeat at Lille while Bastia thumped Brest 4-0, but it was the home side who bossed tonight's game almost from the first whistle. Lorient twice came close to the opening the scoring in the first six minutes with two stunning efforts. First Mohammed Abu saw his brilliant left-footed effort kept out by Mickael Landreau at full stretch before Maxime Baca attempted his own goal of the season contender with a first-time volley from 30 yards out that smashed against the crossbar. Lorient were frustrated again when Corgnet's 37th-minute header went inches wide but, just when it seemed they would have to settle for a goalless first half, they finally managed to go ahead. A minute of additional time had already been played when Jouffre reclaimed possession after his corner had been cleared back to him on the left side of the area, and he curled home past Landreau. Lorient continued their domination after the interval and Landreau kept out an Aliadiere shot in the 48th minute before the hosts doubled their lead six minutes later. Aliadiere was again involved, with his shot being parried out by Landreau and Corgnet pounced on the rebound to slot into an empty net. Bastia had produced little to worry their hosts up to that point but that goal briefly seemed to spark them into life and Modeste was denied by home keeper Fabien Audard when clean through. Two minutes later Modeste left Audard with no chance as he headed home Jerome Rothen's free-kick to halve Lorient's lead. The home side were determined not to let the points slip from their grasp though and they struck twice more in the final 15 minutes through Aliadiere to seal the win, the former Arsenal striker producing two fine finishes in the 75th and 83rd minutes.