The Japan Times - Lyon and Strasbourg win to close in on Europe, Montpellier relegated from Ligue 1

Malick Fofana, Corentin Tolisso, Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze were all on target as Lyon cruised past Rennes 4-1.

The pick of the goals came on eight minutes when Fofana cut in from the left and unleased fierce right-footed strike in off the crossbar.

Tolisso swept a fine second home to double Lyon's lead on 25 minutes, before Lacazette effectively wrapped up the points six minutes before half-time with a hammered finish.

Mohamed Meite gave 10th-placed Rennes a lifeline when he was gifted the chance to bundle home following a badly miss-hit crossfield pass on 51 minutes.

Mikautadze restored the home team's three-goal buffer inside the final 15 minutes as Lyon moved to fourth and within one point of potential direct qualification for Europe's elite club competition.

Liam Rosenior's vibrant young Strasbourg side kept their European dreams alive with a 3-1 win over struggling Saint-Etienne.

They sit sixth, level on 54 points with Lyon.

Second-half goals by Emanuel Emegha and Dilane Bakwa sealed the win after Zuriko Davitashvili had cancelled out Diego Moreira's early opener for the hosts.

Englishman Rosenior announced in his post-match press conference that he had extended his contract with Strasbourg until 2028 following a fine debut season at the club.

Bottom-of-the-table Montpellier, who play Sunday, were condemned to Ligue 2 after 16th-placed Le Havre held second-placed Monaco to a 1-1 draw.

Ahmed Hassan gave the relegation-battling hosts the lead in the 22nd minute before Mika Biereth levelled for Monaco just after the hour.

With four matches remaining in the campaign, Montpellier trail Le Havre, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, by 13 points.

In a miserable campaign, the 2012 Ligue 1 champions have picked up just 15 points from their 30 games.

The draw moved Monaco to 55 points and second in the table.

On Sunday, Marseille can reclaim second place when they host Brest, while seventh-placed Lille can leapfrog all the clubs in European spots when they visit Angers in the first match of the day.

H.Nakamura--JT