Lyon leave French rivals trailing

LYON, France -- French leaders Lyon started 2008 in winning style with a 3-2 victory at home to Toulouse on Saturday which extended the club's margin at the top to six points.

Lyon, seeking a record seventh league title, had gone into the three-week winter break with a four-point lead over Nancy, who were held 0-0 at Caen.

The home side went behind in the ninth minute when Anthony Reveillere put Johan Elmander's cross through his own net, but Hatem Ben Arfa leveled eight minutes later after combining with Karim Benzema.

Lyon captain Juninho made it 2-1 with a trademark free-kick 10 minutes after the half-time break, and Benzema -- the top scorer in France this season -- added a superb solo effort in the 66th minute.

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho headed an injury-time consolation for Toulouse, who were left in 13th place after the defeat.

Third-placed Bordeaux joined Nancy on 36 points after thrashing struggling Auxerre 4-1, with Argentine forward Fernando Cavenaghi netting in the 13th and 52nd minutes.

Daniel Niculae gave Auxerre a second-minute lead, but Cavenaghi's strikes -- plus a 40th-minute effort from Mark Planus and an injury-time goal by former Manchester United winger David Bellion -- gave Bordeaux a comfortable triumph.

Valenciennes climbed to fourth place with a 2-0 win at home to St Etienne, as midfielder Geoffrey Doumeng headed a ninth-minute opener and Gregory Pujol sealed it from close range on 89. It was the club's eighth successive triumph in front of their own fans.

Nice also moved onto 32 points -- above Caen on goal difference -- with a 1-0 success at Strasbourg, as Brazilian midfielder Honorato Ederson netted the winner straight after half-time.

Sochaux stunned Le Mans with a 2-0 away victory, with goals by Mevlut Erding and Michael Isabey, but still remained second from bottom above Metz -- who drew 1-1 at Lille.

In the other game, Monaco beat Lorient 1-0 in a mid-table battle, with Massamba Sambou scoring the winner in time added on. E-mail to a friend

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