Lyon draw level with PSG ahead of Beckham debut

24 February 2013 17:46

Seven-time champions Lyon pulled level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 on Sunday with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Brittany side Lorient at the Stade Gerland.

English star David Beckham was later set to make his PSG debut later against arch rivals Marseille, giving the big spending capital side a chance to restore a lead that stands only on goal difference ahead of the Parc des Princes showdown.

Remi Garde's men, who crashed out of the Europa League in midweek when North London club Tottenham scored deep into injury time, returned to winning ways thanks to goals from Lisandro Lopez, Rachid Ghezzal and Arnold Mvuemba.

The visitors had taken an 11th minute lead through Jeremie Aliadiere.

"It does us good in the table and for our confidence," said a relieved Garde.

"We turned in a strong performance with the energy we had left and I'm very happy with the team's second half performance from a mental point of view because I told the players, that would be the key.

"Despite our elimination against Tottenham, the players proved that they could compete with the the really top teams. There is a lot of ambition in the my squad despite the youth that you could obviously see on the pitch.

Also playing later, Bordeaux - who did qualify for the last-16 of the Europa League and are the only French team remaining in the competition after eliminating Dynamo Kiev - host Brest.

Beckham's much anticipated debut in Ligue 1 crowns out the weekend's action as PSG look to keep the outright lead with at least a draw, while Marseille can close within two points of the top if they can defeat Carlo Ancelotti's expensively assembled side.

Source: AFP