Paris (AFP) – Lyon strengthened their grip on a Champions League position in Ligue 1 after defender Jason Denayer’s goal handed them a 1-0 win at Amiens on Sunday.
The Belgian headed home from a Memphis Depay cross early in the second half at the Stade de la Licorne as Lyon won in Amiens for the second time in 72 hours.
They had also triumphed 2-0 there in the French Cup on Thursday, and this result completes an excellent eight days on the road for Bruno Genesio’s side, who won 2-1 away to derby rivals Saint-Etienne last weekend.
With their Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona looming on the horizon, Lyon remain third in the Ligue 1 table, three points behind second-placed Lille.
Lille won 2-1 at Marseille on Friday in a game which was held up for more than half an hour in the second half after a firecracker thrown from the stands exploded next to home player Kevin Strootman.
Disappointing performances on the field this season have angered Marseille fans, but the club have promised to take action against the spectator who threw the firecracker.
Marseille are eighth, nine points adrift of Lyon with a game in hand, but their on-field travails pale in comparison to the problems at Monaco.
The principality side, champions in 2017, slumped to a 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Dijon on Saturday in their first game since Thierry Henry was sacked as coach.
Henry lasted just three months in charge before being replaced by his predecessor Leonardo Jardim, who watched Saturday’s game in the stands in Dijon.
Monaco remain three points from outright safety, although their next assignment is a League Cup semi-final against Guingamp on Tuesday.
Unbeaten league leaders Paris Saint-Germain host Rennes later at the Parc des Princes, where they will be without Neymar.
The Brazilian came off with a metatarsal injury during PSG’s French Cup win over Strasbourg in midweek, leaving his side sweating over his fitness ahead of the upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester United.
