Mandanda slips, Lyon win

Paris, Dec. 18: A howler from goalkeeper Steve Mandanda helped Lyon beat fellow European rivals Marseille 2- 0 on Sunday and move clear of their opponents in third place in Ligue 1.

Visiting keeper Mandanda gifted Nabil Fekir an early opener, before Mariano Diaz headed in the second shortly after half- time.

The victory gave Lyon a three- point lead over fourth- placed Marseille and drew them level on points with second- placed Monaco, nine points adrift of runaway leaders Paris Saint- Germain.

Marseille showed plenty of fight but were made to pay for missed chances as a 12- match unbeaten run in the league was brought to an end.

“I take full responsibility for this defeat. I should ● The victory gave Lyon a three- point lead over fourth- placed Marseille and drew them level on points with second- placed Monaco, nine points adrift of runaway leaders Paris Saint- Germain.

● Marseille showed plenty of fight but were made to pay for missed chances as a 12- match unbeaten run in the league was brought to an end.

not be conceding that type of goal,” Mandanda said.

“The difference was the two goalkeepers. Today we saw ( Lyon keeper) Anthony Lopes be decisive and Steve Mandanda who was not good, which meant that Marseille lost this game,” he added further

Lyon made a dream start as Fekir put them ahead in only the sixth minute with his 12th league goal of the season.

But the forward was

indebted to Mandanda, who contrived to drop a free- kick into the corner of his net.

Marseille almost levelled soon afterwards though, but Lopes pulled off a wonderful reflex save to keep out Adil Rami’s header after the centre- back was left unmarked at a Dimitri Payet corner.

Lyon were shaky at defending set- pieces and were given another let- off as Portuguese defender Rolando when he scored.

Bruno Genesio’s men were living dangerously and needed the best of Lopes again when he got down quickly to thwart Lucas Ocampos.

DIAZ

headed should over have But they came out after the break with renewed vigour and doubled their advantage in the 51st minute.

Fekir’s corner found its way through a crowd of defenders to Diaz. But he met Maxwel Cornet’s cross from the loose ball to head in from close range.

Visiting coach Rudi Garcia threw on Kostas Mitroglou, Maxime Lopez and Morgan Sanson as Marseille looked for a way back into the game.