Lecomte's brilliant saves help Lorient down Lyon 1-0
PARIS (AP) - Lorient president Loic Fery offered a contract extension to Benjamin Lecomte this week. His goalkeeper did not betray his faith, making eight saves to help beat Lyon 1-0 in the French league on Saturday.
Lecomte, who extended his deal with Lorient until 2019, lifted his struggling team to only its second win in seven league matches, a success that helped the Brittany side move away from the bottom of the standings.
Right-footed midfielder Jimmy Cabot fired home a superb volley with his left, connecting with a curled cross from Maxime Barthelme in the box in the 51st minute.
Lorient fans chanted Lecomte's name after he made two saves in succession to deny Maxwel Cornet and Valbuena in the 80th. Lecomte was also decisive in the first half to stop efforts from Maciej Rybus, Corentin Tolisso, and Nabil Fekir twice. Lecomte had also luck on his side in the first half when Mathieu Valbuena's shot from 20 meter crashed against the bar.
In the absence of injured striker Alexandre Lacazette and suspended captain Maxime Gonalons, Lyon switched back to its 4-3-3 system from last season during the match, but its best opportunities were limited to set-pieces.
The result will leave Lyon coach Bruno Genesio scratching his head for quick solutions. Lyon has a Champions League game at Sevilla next week. Lyon, which thrashed Montpellier 5-1 midweek, has won just once in its last five French league matches.
Also, in the league:
MONACO 2, ANGERS 1
Thrashed 4-0 by Nice midweek, Monaco needed an own goal from Dickson Nwakaeme with 15 minutes left to win and take the lead in the standings.
After Famara Diedhiou put the visitors in front from close range after the interval, Poland center back Kamil Glik leveled from a corner. Nwakaeme beat Mathieu Michel with his backside after Glik forced the Angers goalkeeper to a reflex save with a header. The ball rebounded off Michel's feet and hit Nwakaeme in the back before crossing the line. Monaco moved two points clear of Nice, which can reclaim top spot on Sunday at Nancy. Monaco has a midweek Champions League match against Leverkusen.
MONTPELLIER 0, METZ 1
Mevlut Erding netted his sixth goal in seven league matches for Metz. Montpellier slumped to a second consecutive loss despite dominating for long spells, and was punished for its profligacy. Erding scored from the penalty spot in the 45th minute after Hilton Vitorino Hilton fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box.
OTHER MATCHES
Bordeaux was held by Caen to 0-0, and Lois Diony scored a brace as Dijon beat Rennes 3-0. In Corsica, Enzo Crivelli equaled his best goal tally in a season with his third in seven matches to give Bastia a 1-0 win over Guingamp.