Lyon go top of Ligue 1 after defeating Bastia
Lyon went back to the top of Ligue 1 on Wednesday, two points in front of Paris Saint-Germain, after second-half goals from substitute Mohamed Yattara and captain Alexandre Lacazette sealed a 2-0 win at home against struggling Bastia.
PSG are now second two points behind Lyon but have a game in hand and could reclaim top spot when they host second-from-bottom Metz on 28 April.
Lyon are six points ahead of third-placed Monaco and seven on Marseille who are fourth after 32 matches. Lyon pushed hard in the first half creating several chances but came up against a tough Bastia defense and inspired goalkeeping from Alphonse Aerola.
The hosts had to wait until a flurry in the final fifteen minutes to wrap up the three points as the Corsicans wilted following their 4-0 Coupe de la Ligue final defeat against PSG on Saturday.
Yattara gave Lyon the advantage after 77 minutes when he picked up a Clement Grenier cross following a poorly cleared corner from the visiting defence. It was Grenier's first match since last August after suffering a groin injury and he had come on 15 minutes earlier in place of Steed Malbranque, while Yattara was on the pitch just two minutes in place of Nabil Fekir when he found the net.
Eight minutes later Lacazette put the score 2-0 after picking up a centre from Clinton Njie for his league-leading 25th Ligue 1 goal of the season, equalling the record of Lyon's Andre Guy back in the 1968/1969 season. The goals confirmed Lyon's domination of the match, following a disappointing first half.
Only Jordan Ferri (six), Njie (42) and a Fekir free-kick just before the break had in any way threatened Areola, while Lacazette missed a shot off a Malbranque centre after 41 minuets.
The defeat is another blow for Bastia who have taken just one point from a possible 12 in their last four matches and remain in 14th just two points above the drop zone, as they host Reims on Saturday in a game which could be crucial to their top flight status next season. Lyon meanwhile host neighbouring Saint-Etienne this weekend.