Lyon moves back to top in French league
PARIS (AP) - Up-and-coming attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir scored the winner as Lyon beat Nantes 1-0 to restore its two-point lead over defending champion Paris Saint-Germain in the French league on Sunday.
Fekir, who has been in superb form this season, lifted Lyon to its first win in four games after the seven-time champions struggled in the absence of Alexandre Lacazette. The league's top scorer made a convincing return from a hamstring injury against Nantes after missing three games but it was Fekir who stole the spotlight in a match of few chances for both sides.
Fekir first threatened with a long range free kick in the 40th minute that hit the bar before Lacazette came close of scoring his 22nd goal, firing his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Fekir had more luck when Nantes captain Olivier Veigneau helped the ball into his own net in the 67th minute while trying to stop him from rounding keeper Remy Riou at the end of a swift combination ignited by playmaker Yoann Gourcuff.
The 21-year-old Fekir won a penalty in added time when he was fouled in the area but Maxime Gonalons sent his effort from the spot wide.
Elsewhere, goals from Morgan Sanson and Kevin Berigaud secured a 2-0 win for Montpellier at in-form Guingamp that lifted the southern club to seventh place in the standings, while Reims was held to a goalless draw by last-placed Metz.
Montpellier, the 2012 champion, ended the hosts' seven-match unbeaten run with an inspired attacking display and solid defending while Guingamp looked tired after playing Dynamo Kiev midweek in the Europa League.
Sanson put Montpellier ahead after two minutes with a 20-meter strike at the conclusion of a fine collective move.
Montpellier controlled the remainder of the half but Guingamp keeper Jonas Lossl made three decisive saves to keep the hosts in the match. Lossl was powerless in the 55th minute though, with Berigaud slotting home with a shot under the keeper after being set up by Anthony Mounier.
Later, Marseille can move level on points with PSG if it wins at Saint-Etienne.