Lyon climbs to 3rd in French league with 3-1 win at Lorient

PARIS (AP) — France forward Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Lyon reasserted its credentials in the fight for Champions League spots with a 3-1 win at Lorient on Sunday.

With Paris Saint-Germain already crowned champion, the main point of interest in the French league is on the second and third places, with the runner-up qualifying automatically for the Champions League.

Sunday's win lifted Lyon to third place, just three points behind Monaco.

Lacazette, the league's top scorer last season, took his tally to 16 goals and Rachid Ghezzal was also on the scoresheet for Lyon.

After Majeed Waris put the visitors ahead in the 36th minute, Lacazette leveled just before the interval at the conclusion of a swift counterattack with a shot into the top corner.

Although he missed several chances, Ghezzal was a threat throughout and finally found the net with a powerful shot to make it 2-1 in the 81st. Three minutes later, Ghezzal set up Lacazette with a subtle short pass in the area and the striker rounded 'keeper Benjamin Lecomte to score in an empty net.

"We came back because we were superior," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said. "We now have the possibility to move to second (place), the team has found its confidence back and controlled the game."

Earlier, Portugal forward Eder scored twice as Lille continued its push for a European spot with a 3-0 win at Nantes. Lille's fourth consecutive victory lifted the northern side to seventh place, six points behind Lyon.

Eder, who has scored four goals in his last six matches, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a shot past keeper Remy Riou from Rony Lopes' cross.

Stoppila Sunzu made it 2-0 in the 58th minute with a header and Eder — on loan from Swansea this season — sealed the win and its first league brace from Junio Tallo's assist in stoppage time.

Marseille's unimpressive season meanwhile took another turn for the worse with a 2-1 loss at Bastia that leaves coach Michel's future in the balance.

Karim Rekik scored an own goal as he failed to clear a cross from Francois Kamano to put the hosts ahead just after the interval before Gael Danic doubled the lead from the penalty spot. Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi pulled one back with 13 minutes left but it was too little too late as Marseille remained winless in eight league games.

With six matches left this season, Marseille has yet to seal its spot in the top flight next season.

Marseille finished the match with 10 players after substitute Romain Alessandrini was sent off for a bad-tempered gesture toward defender Alexander Djiku