Auxerre paved the way for Marseille to clinch the Ligue 1 title by losing this evening at Lyon.

Despite taking the lead through Ireneusz Jelen in the 15th minute, Auxerre – who headed into the match in second place – left the Stade Gerland empty-handed as goals by Lisandro Lopez and Miralem Pjanic secured Les Gones the win.

Defeat for Auxerre effectively spelled the end of any lingering title hopes and gave leaders Marseille the opportunity to win it at home to Rennes.

Auxerre started brightly and forced a chance in the first minute. Dariusz Dudka was denied by Hugo Lloris as the keeper deflected his half-volley for a corner.

In the fourth minute it was Auxerre again who were in amongst the goalmouth action.

Jelen was put through one on one with Lloris and steered his effort delicately beyond the goalkeeper. However, he could only watch in agony as the shot hit the post for Jean-Alain Boumsong to clear.

The breakthrough did arrive in the 15th minute, however. Jelen intercepted Anthony Reveillere’s terrible backpass before dribbling around Lloris to slot home.

Lyon centre-half Cris had a chance to level five minutes later but saw his header from Pjanic’s free-kick go over Olivier Sorin’s crossbar.

The action died down until the closing moments of the half. A minute before the break Jean Makoun hit the post with a shot after being teed up by good work from Lisandro and Aly Cissokho.

In the final minute of the half, though, the leveller came. Benoit Pedretti brought Cissokho down in the area after a positive burst forward, allowing Lisandro to coolly slot home the penalty.

Buoyed by their timely equaliser it was Lyon who started the second half brightly.

Dead-ball specialist Pjanic tried his luck with a 47th-minute free-kick just outside the box and, while he beat both the wall and goalkeeper Sorin, the ball hit the post to deny him the goal.

A minute later another chance came and went, this time with the referee ruling the goal out. Michel Bastos crossed for Jeremy Toulalan to set up Bafetimbi Gomis but the striker headed home only to see the offside flag raised.

Shortly before the hour mark a one-two between Pjanic and Gomis allowed the latter space in the area. The big striker smashed a first-time effort only to be denied by Sorin’s solid save.

At the other end Auxerre finally forged a chance of their own in the 68th minute. Jelen put Denis Oliech through on goal and, while the Kenyan’s effort was decent, Lloris managed to make the save with his feet.

A Pedretti shot from distance whistled narrowly wide for the visitors while, at the opposite end, Lyon hit the post again. This time it was playmaker Kim Kallstrom, whose left-footed volley flew towards goal only to smash against the post.

Five minutes from time, however, Lyon’s winner came.

Kallstrom whipped in a dangerous cross which Sorin could only punch partially clear, allowing Pjanic to tap in from close range.

espnsoccernet.com