Lyon beats Sochaux 2-0 to stay top in France

LYON, France (AP) -- Lyon beat Sochaux 2-0 Sunday to retain the top spot in the French league and end a four-game losing streak in all competitions.

The defending champion was under pressure after Marseille beat Nantes 2-0 Saturday to take the provisional lead.

But Brazilian midfielder Honorato Ederson put Lyon on the right track, chesting down a cross from Cesar Delgado to volley home in the 13th minute.

Ederson was replaced in the 66th by Anthony Mounier who converted a rebound in the 70th after goalkeeper Teddy Richert parried the substitute's header off a cross from Juninho.

Lyon tops the standings with 56 points, one more than Marseille.

Paris Saint-Germain can keep pace in the title race and go level on points with Marseille if it defeats Toulouse later Sunday.

Meanwhile, Lorient defeated Saint-Etienne 3-1 to climb to 11th place with 35 points.

Kevin Gameiro charged down the left flank to cross the ball for Morgan Amalfitano whose volley ricocheted off the crossbar and inside the net in the 12th minute.

Marama Vahirua outpaced the Saint-Etienne defense in the 14th to round goalkeeper Jeremie Janot and double the lead for Lorient.

Yohan Benalouane pulled a goal back for Saint-Etienne in the 39th, heading in a free kick from Dimitri Payet.

But Algeria international Rafik Saifi put the game out of reach in the 90th minute with a low shot.

Saint-Etienne remained in the relegation zone with 29 points.

Also Saturday, it was: Le Havre 0, Bordeaux 3; Lille 2, Grenoble 1; Rennes 0, Valenciennes 0; Nice 2, Caen 2; Auxerre 2, Le Mans 0; and Nancy 0, Monaco 1.

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri conducted the draw on Sunday for the semifinals of the French Cup: on April 21-22, Rennes will visit Grenoble while Toulouse will host Guingamp.

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