Lyon toppled by Le Mans again

PARIS, France -- French champions Lyon crashed 1-0 at Le Mans on Saturday, leaving the French title race wide open and shattering confidence before Wednesday's Champions League clash with Manchester United.

Lyon, the French champions for the last six years, can see their lead cut to one point if Bordeaux defeat Monaco on Sunday.

With one eye on Wednesday's European showdown with United, Lyon coach Alain Perrin omitted top scorer Karim Benzema and was also without injured Brazilian attacker Fred.

Another Brazilian ruined Perrin's plans. Tulio De Melo scored the only goal of the game in the 70th minute from a cross by Ibrahima Camara.

The victory was also a repeat of Le Mans' 1-0 win in the French League Cup semifinal in January but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was critical of the pitch at the Stade Leon Bollee.

"Le Mans are not our bogey team even if we have suffered two defeats to them in such a short space of time," said Aulas.

"The pitch doesn't explain our defeat but if you want to see a good match, you need a good pitch. Sadly a lot in France are not worthy of the top flight."

Nancy remain third but still eight points behind Lyon after crashing to a 4-0 defeat at St Etienne where Loic Perrin and Bafetimbi Gomis were on target for the home side before the interval.

Pascal Feindouno, fresh from his return from the African Nations Cup with Guinea, and Bafetimbi Gomis added two more goals in the second half.

Lille eased their relegation fears with a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Rennes with much-travelled Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert scoring twice to double his tally for the season. E-mail to a friend