Lyon back to winning ways at Lorient

Two goals in the second half gave Lyon a 2-0 Ligue 1 victory on the Breton coast Saturday against Lorient.

Nicolas Tagliafico and Mama Balde struck inside 20 minutes of the break to get Lyon back to winning ways after last weekend's 3-0 defeat at home to Lens.

The win sends Lyon above Toulouse and into tenth spot, now seven points clear of the danger zone.

The first period was a tactical affair, which the visitors dominated but could not find a way past Yvon Mvogo in the Lorient goal.

Argentinian defender Tagliafico finally gave Lyon the lead seven minutes after halftime when he dived to head in Clinton Mata's cross.

Balde doubled the lead on 65 minutes, rounding Mvogo and holding off interest from the defence to finish a lighting counter-attack.

It was the 28-year-old striker's first goal for Lyon since arriving on loan from Troyes in the summer.

Later on Saturday, Lens host second-placed Brest who will be looking to close the gap on Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the leaders' meeting with Reims on Sunday.