PARIS (AP) – Lyon showed why they had to rely on a contender by beating Nice 4-1 to take the lead in the French league and extend their unbeathed streak to thirteen games on Saturday.
Memphis Depay’s attack force, Tino Kadewere and Karl Toko Ekambi also demonstrated for Nice, as Lyon completed one point ahead of Lille and two ahead of Paris Saint-Germain ahead of Sunday’s match.
Depay put Lyon ahead with a Panenka-style penalty that was coldly thrown in the 31st minute following Kadewere’s foul. Goalkeeper Walter Benitez threw a heavy free kick from Depay.
Seven minutes later, Kadewere did the 2-0 by intercepting a bad pass in defence and completing with confidence, but striker Amine Gouiri withdrew a purpose just before the break in front of his former club, returning a center of offensive midfielder Rony Lopes.
Depay’s excellent pass sent Kadewere to the board and selflessly placed Toko Ekambi 3-1 at 62. Toko Ekambi had an offside regulated effort before offensive midfielder Houssem Aouar finished the scoring at 72 with a centre from Leo Dubois’ right wing.
After wasting Rennes in the middle of the week, fourth place Marseille lost more trouble as they were carried out at home through the suffering of Reims in 1-1.
Visitors took the lead in the 20th minute when Kosovo midfielder Arber Zeneli switched to his own goal through the defense of Marseille Yuto Nagatomo.
Reims goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic made two tackles of striker Dario Benedetto, but end Florian Thauvin tied up in the half-time serve when he finished at the post time after a headbutt of Benedetto landed near him.
Marseille exerted quite a bit of tension after that, much to Thauvin’s frustration.
“We just play side or back passes, we never take any chances,” he said. “There’s enough movement, too much doesn’t work. “
In the game, Metz climbed to eighth place after beating Lens 2-0 at home.
Striker Opa Nguette gave Metz the upper hand and Farid Boulaya, worried about the goal, controlled to save him with a deep effort in extra time. Metz stepped forward to veteran coach Frederic Antonetti, who is in his wake with the club.
PSG will play in Lille without Neymar, who recover from a sprained ankle suffered last Sunday in the 1-0 home defeat to Lyon.
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