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Great game by the Brazilian national team defender Juninho Pernambucano helped "Lyon" to once again secure a victory after three consecutive draws in the French championship, as the league leaders on Friday defeated "Nantes" 3-1.
Having become French champions four times in a row, "Lyon" started the match very successfully - in the ninth minute of the game, captain Juninho scored a goal with a firm penalty shot from about 20 meters, replacing the injured Claudio Cacapa.
Towards the end of the first half, with about ten minutes left, Juninho made a great pass from the side and midfielder Mahamadou Diarra managed to send the ball into the net with a header from close range.
In the second half, the Brazilian Fred turned the game around, scoring his first goal after a break of over a month. Although "Nantes" managed to soften the result with a goal fifteen minutes before the end of the match, it was all they could demonstrate against the league leaders, who occupy the twelfth place in the championship.
Before the match, "Lyon" coach Gerrard Houllier said that psychologically the game would be very important, as on Tuesday the French champions have a crucial UEFA Champions League round of 16 match in Eindhoven against "PSV". The coach stated that the three consecutive draws had diminished the players' confidence in their abilities, so the victory should greatly help the team.
Statistics 3 - 1 9` [1 - 0] Juninho Pernambucano 35` [2 - 0] Mahamadou Diarra 57` [3 - 0] Fred 74` [3 - 1] Mamadou Diallo
League table
