Lyon's 14-match winning run ended Saturday when the
five-time defending French league champion lost 1-0 at Rennes.
Cameroon midfielder Stephane M'Bia headed in a cross from winger
Olivier Monterubbio in the 12th minute.
``We began the match timidly,'' Lyon coach Gerard Houllier said.
``We were not vigilant enough and we conceded a goal. This defeat
leaves a bitter taste as we did not deserve to lose.''
The loss ended Lyon's chances of setting a new French record for
the best ever start to a French season. Victory would have given
Lyon 11 wins and a draw from the opening 12 rounds, but the defeat
means it stays level with Bordeaux's efforts in the 1953-54 season.
``This does not change anything,'' Lyon midfielder Jeremy
Toulalan said. ``Except that people will stop saying we're
unbeatable. We will keep working and doing what we have been
doing.''
Last season, Rennes stunned Lyon with a 4-1 win at Lyon's Stade
Gerland.
Rennes lost captain Monterubbio midway through the first half
with a sprained ankle. Lyon had Brazil midfielder Juninho sent off
late in the second half and an injury-time goal from Sebastien
Squillaci disallowed for offside in injury time.
Sylvain Wiltord and Karim Benzema both missed good opportunities
to level the scores.
Houllier's team also missed out on a chance to tie the French
record for 10 straight wins.
However, Lyon still has a healthy lead, leading Lille and Sochaux
by 10 points. Lille is second on goal difference.
Marseille slipped 11 points behind and down to fourth with its
fourth straight defeat.
Pierre-Andre Gignac scored Lorient's winner in the 49th, on a
cross from Ulrich Le Pen.
Also Saturday, it was: Auxerre 2, Le Mans 3; Monaco 0, Nice 0;
Saint-Etienne 3, Toulouse 0; Sedan 1, Nantes 1; Sochaux 1, Troyes 0;
and Valenciennes 0, Lille 3.
Le Mans striker Ismael Bangoura scored a hat trick to take his
season total to nine _ including five in the last three games.
At Sedan, Dimitri Payet gave Nantes the lead in the 43rd, but
former Nantes forward Gregory Pujol levelled for Sedan in the 60th.
On Sunday, it is: Nancy vs. Bordeaux; and Paris Saint-Germain vs.
Lens.
PSG will be missing star striker Pauleta.
The former Portugal forward was suspended for two matches for
using foul and abusive language toward an assistant referee last
weekend after he was sent off against Rennes.
Amara Diane will likely deputize in attack because PSG's
Pierre-Alain Frau is serving a two-month ban for seriously injuring
an opponent in a recent league match.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
