Ligue 3

In this Ligue 1 predictions round-up, Lyon move into first place, while Caen claim their second win.

Caen – Toulouse 2:1 (1:0)

Goals: Compan, 13; Nivet, 56 – Emana, 90+3

Caen: Planté, Sorbon, Hengbart, Nivet, Proment, Gomis (Deroin, 76), Lemaître, Eluchans (Florentin, 80), Leca, Compan (Mazure, 68), Gouffran

Toulouse: Douchez, Ilunga, Congré, Fofana (Ebondo, 46), Cetto, Dieuze, Sissoko (Batlles, 57), Emana, Mansaré, Gignac (Bergougnoux, 67), Elmander

Referees: Jaffredo, Leloup, Anonnier

Bookings: Sissoko, 21, Gignac, 37, Emana, 79

Stade Michel-d’Ornano.

Caen unexpectedly managed to beat Toulouse. The hosts put the visitors under pressure from the outset, and Compan opened the scoring. Surprisingly, Élie Baup’s side could offer little of substance in response, leaving the outcome to be decided in the second half.

Early in the second half, Nivet made the scoreline decidedly comfortable for Caen. Patrick Parizon’s team simply had to see out the game calmly. Toulouse helped them in that respect, doing little to threaten Planté’s goal. Only in stoppage time did Emana finally manage to beat the home goalkeeper, but that could no longer save Toulouse from defeat.

1

Olympique Lyonnais – Lens 3:0 (1:0)

Goals: Fábio Santos, 42; Källström, 81; Benzema, 89

Olympique Lyonnais: Vercoutre, Clerc, Squillaci, Bodmer, Grosso, Fábio Santos (Govou, 79), Toulalan, Källström, Juninho (Benzema, 66), Keita, Baroš (Belhadj, 85)

Lens: Runje, Coulibaly, Ramos (Aubey, 73), Laurenti, Demont, Sablé, Kovačević, Keita, Boukari, Lacourt (Monterrubio, 61), Aruna

Referees: Auriac, Faye, Stien

Booking: Fábio Santos, 42

Stade Municipal de Gerland.

Thanks to a convincing win, Lyon moved into first place for the first time this season, drawing level on points with Nancy, although Nancy have a game in hand. Alain Perrin gave Papin a clear demonstration of the standard of football in Division 1 and what he needs to aspire to.

The visitors relied on Aruna Dindane, but he could not get the better of the home defence. Moreover, Lyon’s defenders pushed forward themselves. Grosso posed a considerable threat, constantly joining the attack down the flank and delivering dangerous crosses. Juninho and Baroš both had chances to score from the Italian’s deliveries, but neither was accurate enough. At the end of the half, they made amends. Juninho passed to Baroš, who moved the ball on to Fábio Santos to open the scoring.

In the second half, the visitors tried to turn the game around. Former Lyon player Éric Carrière threatened with a shot, but he was not destined to score. Substitute Olivier Monterrubio sent a dangerous cross into the penalty area, and the ball struck Toulalan’s hand, but the referee was reluctant to award a penalty.

It seemed that the visitors would launch a sustained assault in the closing minutes. However, Källström thwarted their plans. Receiving the ball 25 metres from goal, the Swede did it all himself to make the score 2-0. Karim Benzema’s magnificent goal crowned the performance. He received the ball on the left flank, beat two defenders and shot past Runje with the outside of his foot.