Luyindula moves Lyon up to second
PARIS, France (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon moved back into contention for the title after two goals from Peguy Luyindula gave them French champions a 2-1 victory at AJ Auxerre on Sunday.
The win took Lyon back up to second in the standings, leapfrogging Auxerre and Paris St Germain, and moved them to within four points of leaders Monaco, who crashed to their first home defeat of the season on Saturday.
Monaco remain on 51 points from 24 games, after their 1-0 defeat by Lille, followed by Lyon on 47, with third-placed PSG, 1-0 winners at Toulouse on Saturday, a point further back. Auxerre slip to fourth, on 44 points.
Luyindula, called up to the France squad for the first time for their friendly international in Belgium on Wednesday, gave Lyon the early lead when he scored from a counter-attack in the eighth minute.
His shot was deflected into the net by Swiss defender Stephane Grichting and the goal was all the more frustrating for Auxerre as Djibril Cisse had missed a good chance seconds earlier.
Lyon, who lost to lowly En Avant Guingamp in the league last week before crashing 4-1 to Monaco in the French Cup midweek, defended solidly after taking the lead and Auxerre dominated much of the game.
The home side were caught again, however, from another counter-attack midway through the second half, which finished with Luyindula getting on the end of Florent Malouda's cross for his second of the match.
Auxerre pulled one back 15 minutes from time through defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, but were unable to find an equaliser.
