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Ederson puts Lyon five points clear in France

SoccerNews in Ligue 1 20 Sep 2008

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Brazilian Ederson scored a penalty for Lyon in their 1-0 home win over Le Havre, putting them five points clear at the top of the French championship on Saturday, while nine-man Bordeaux also won.

Lyon's win means the seven-times reigning champions can finally put behind them a busy week following a controversial victory over Nice last weekend and conceding a draw at home to Fiorentina in midweek Champions League action.

Without injured Brazilian Juninho and Karim Benzema, who came on for the last half hour, Lyon hardly shined against promoted Le Havre but a foul in the box on Frederic Piquionne at the end of the first half, and converted by Ederson, brought the victory.

And Lyon reshaped their defence with previously out-of-form Brazilian centre back Cris coming into the side, paired with Mathieu Bodmer, and Anthony Reveillere at right back and John Mensah at left back.

Lyon had to play the final spell without Sidney Govou however after he was sent off for a second yellow card midway through the second half.

Lyon coach Claude Puel said afterwards: “It was a very good result and the team showed a lot of spirit. Le Havre is a team which does well going forward which is one of the key aspects of the sport.

“We knew they would push forward and you never quite knew what would happen on each attack but we defended well.”

And Puel added that Brazilian Juninho had a groin injury.

“He has put a lot into the last few matches and that meant we could give match time to some other players to give them a chance.”

Bordeaux's emotional week continued, following their midweek Champions League 4-0 thrashing by Chelsea, as they finished with nine men at promoted Grenoble but won 1-0 thanks to an 81st minute goal by Brazilian attacking midfielder Jussie.

Alou Diarra and Wendel were sent off just after the break though Martial Robin of Grenoble also got a red card in the 90th minute.

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc said he had never seen a match quite like it.

“Even as a player, I can never remember a team going for the win while reduced to nine against 11. You just have to say “well done” to the players who showed a lot of spirit,” Blanc said.

Toulouse, who just avoided relegation last season, beat Sochaux 2-1 for their fifth match in a row unbeaten thanks to goals from a freekick and the penalty spot by Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Sochaux are still to get a win and dropped to the bottom of the table after the previous bottom club, Nantes, had a 2-0 win over Valenciennes for their first victory of the season.

Other results saw Lille beat Auxerre 3-2 and Lorient drew 1-1 with Caen.

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