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Ligue 1: Lyon retains top spot with victory

Last Updated: Sunday, March 22, 2009 | 6:48 PM ET

The Associated Press

Lyon's Karim Benzema, right, challenges for the ball with Sochaux's Rabiu Afolabi during Sunday's game. (Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press)

Lyon beat Sochaux 2-0 to retain the top spot in the French league and end a four-game losing streak.

The defending champions were under pressure after Marseille downed 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 a goal 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.

Lorient defeated Saint-Etienne 3-1 to climb to 11th place with 35 points. Saint-Etienne remained in the relegation zone with 29 points.

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