Lyon vs Bastia. French Ligue 1.
Stade de GerlandAttendance36,549.
Wednesday 15 April 2015 20:52, UK
Substitute Mohamed Yattara made an immediate impact and Alexandre Lacazette wrapped up a late 2-0 win for Lyon against Bastia on Wednesday which moved Les Gones back top of Ligue 1.
The game looked to be heading for a stalemate until Yattara was introduced in place of Nabil Fekir in the 76th minute, and opened the scoring two minutes later after good work from fellow substitute Clement Grenier.
Lacazette made sure of the points with a second goal five minutes from time to lift Hubert Fournier's side two points clear of Paris St Germain, who were in Champions League action on Wednesday, at the domestic summit.
The visitors seemed content to sit back from the off and Lacazette threatened to make them pay early on but his effort, after seeing off Francois Modesto, was smartly saved low down by Alphonse Areola.
Despite enjoying almost 70 per cent of the possession in the opening stages, though, the hosts were struggling to break down their lowly opponents, who remained only two points above the drop zone.
Mahamadou Dabo was forced off just after the half-four mark through injury but, shortly before his exit, the Lyon full-back did well to set up Steed Malbranque, who was denied by Areola.
As half-time approached, Fekir went closest to the opener after he cut in from the left but the faintest of touches from Areola sent the young Frenchman's 20-yard effort just over the bar.
Lyon began the second half on the front foot once again with Fekir and Lacazette giving the Bastia back four plenty to think about.
Fournier threw on Grenier on the hour mark and the France international did not take long to make his mark on the match.
With the final 10 minutes fast approaching, Grenier picked up on a loose ball from a corner and his fine delivery found Yattara, who blasted beyond Areoa from just inside the area.
It was no more than the hosts deserved, and they did not take too much longer to add an all-important second goal.
Clinton N'jie was the architect and his superb delivery from the left with the outside of the boot found the unmarked Lacazette, who left Areola with no chance as he finished with aplomb from 12 yards.
Bastia had a rare chance very late on but Giovanni Sio's cheeky chip was well saved by the under-worked Anthony Lopes.