Lyon extend Marseille's woes

Lyon moved to the top of Ligue 1 after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a Marseille side still seeking their first win of the season. Les Gones, who are now a point clear of Montpellier and Toulouse, clinched victory with first-half goals from Bafetimbi Gomis and Michel Bastos. Marseille had their chances, but could not find a way past home goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. They now prop up the rest of the table, having claimed just three points from their opening six games and with the pressure beginning to mount on coach Didier Deschamps. Lyon opened the scoring from the first meaningful chance of the match after 17 minutes. Bastos beat Cesar Azpilicueta down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross which Gomis diverted past Steve Mandanda with his right foot. And it was 2-0 after 29 minutes with Bastos doing it all himself, collecting Maxime Gonalons' pass before firing a crisp drive past Mandanda. Marseille reacted well, Jeremy Morel shooting narrowly over the bar, but Lyon ended the first half on top with Bastos coming close again following another lung-bursting run down the left. The visitors ought to have got themselves back in the contest within five minutes of the restart, but Loic Remy wasted a wonderful chance by shooting wide from close range when Azpilicueta's cross fell at his feet. To their credit, Marseille kept plugging away and Argentinian midfielder Lucho Gonzalez came within inches of scoring with a low drive which flashed just wide of the post. With just 12 minutes remaining, they threatened again when Remy's shot following a Mathieu Valbuena corner was headed off the line by Gonalons. However, Lyon held on as Marseille slipped to the foot of the standings for the first time since August 2005.