Lyon move up to second, Marseille earn draw in Ligue 1

Lyon found themselves in second position with a 2-1 victory over Caen away, while visiting Marseille recorded a hard-fought 1-1 tie against Montpellier in the 16th round of Ligue 1 football action.

Maxwel Cornet broke the deadlock for Lyon 10 minutes into Sunday's match following brilliant teamwork from the side. The visitors built a two-goal advantage early in the second half, as striker Mariano Diaz scored his 12th goal of the campaign.

Ivan Santini got one back for Caen in the 90th minute. Caen's substitute Jordan Nkololo almost scored an equaliser in stoppage time.

Marseille, however, met strong resistance from Montpellier in maintaining their second place standing. Giovanni Sio finished a volley on a deflected cross to beat Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda in the 29th minute.

Montpellier captain Vitorino Hilton was penalised for a hand ball late in the first half, before Marseille forward Florian Thauvin converted the spot kick for his eighth league goal of the season.

Montpellier scored their second goal of the match with just some minutes remaining, but it was cancelled by the referee for Hilton's offside.

The hosts still had a chance to kill the game. However, Nordi Mukiele's header on a free-kick went beyond the crossbar in stoppage time.

Lyon, Monaco and Marseille were all on 32 points after 16 matches, nine points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who surprisingly lost their first match this season to promoted Strasbourg on Saturday. Lyon were placed second on superior goal difference.

Also on Sunday, Saint-Etienne extended their winless record to seven matches as they tied Nantes 1-1 at home.

--IANS

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