Lyon beats Nancy 3-2 in French league

Posted Sunday, October 03, 2010 by

PARIS (AP)—Striker Jimmy Briand scored a double to help Lyon secure its first away points this season in the French league with a much-needed 3-2 win at Nancy on Saturday.

Lyon wasted a two-goal lead but Briand scored the winner from close range in the 75th minute after goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano failed to hold on to a free kick.

Enduring its worst start to the season in 16 years, Lyon claimed only its second win in eight league matches this season to move up to 17th overall.

Nancy, which lost its fourth consecutive home game, dominated the early exchanges until striker Lisandro Lopez coolly slotted home between three defenders from Briand’s cross from the right in the 37th minute.

Briand then headed home from a free kick in the 55th minute, scoring his first goal for Lyon since joining from Rennes during the offseason.

Defender Andre Luiz pulled one back two minutes later with a powerful header from another set piece and midfielder Julien Feret scored Nancy’s equalizer in the 70th after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris failed to hold on to the ball.

Lyon has never lost at Nancy and has won five of its six matches there since the northeastern club returned to the first division in 2005.

In other results, Bordeaux beat Lorient 1-0, promoted Brest handed Monaco a second consecutive loss with a 1-0 away win, Sochaux defeated Lens 3-0 and Valenciennes beat Caen 2-1 while last-placed Arles lost 4-0 at home against Auxerre for its eighth loss in as many games.

Defending champion Marseille travels to surprise leader Saint-Etienne later Saturday.

Unbeaten in four matches in all competitions, Bordeaux confirmed its revival following a disappointing start to the season courtesy of defender Michael Ciani’s goal in the 25th minute.

Bordeaux, which ended Lyon’s run of seven consecutive titles in 2009, moved up to 10th place with 11 points.

Arles’s new coach Faruk Hadzibegic didn’t see the upturn of fortunes he wished for his first match in charge as Auxerre claimed its first win of the season following a 1-0 home loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier this week.