Defending champ Lille snaps 2-game losing streak, Lyon wins

Defending champion Lille snapped a two-game losing streak with a scrappy 1-0 win at Montpellier in the French league on Saturday to move back into the race for the European spots.

Lille struggled throughout against a spirited home side led by playmaker Teji Savanier, one of the league's best players. Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim kept his team afloat with four decisive saves in the first half.

Jardim replaced usual starter Ivo Grbic following his disastrous display in the 5-1 loss to PSG last weekend. He did not disappoint and was decisive again near the hour-mark to deny a Savanier effort.

Lyon's Lucas Paqueta controls the ball next to Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, right, during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

Lille took the lead against the run of the play with 14 minutes left when Portuguese midfielder Xeka snatched the winner from the rebound after a thwarted effort from teammate Benjamin Andre.

There was an amusing moment in the match when Jonathan Bamba and Xeka did rock, paper, scissors to determine who would take a free kick. Bamba won and his free kick from about 25 meters went directly toward Montpellier goalkeeper Jonas Omlin.

Lille leapfrogged Montpellier to seventh place in the standings, three points behind fourth-placed Strasbourg.

Lyon's Lucas Paqueta, right, vies for the ball with Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

LYON STOPS NICE

Back from the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi helped Lyon beat third-placed Nice 2-0.

Toko Ekambi's second-half goal sealed Nice's second consecutive league loss. Moussa Dembele gave Lyon the lead from the penalty spot in the seventh minute with his 40th career league goal.

Lyon's Moussa Dembele looks on during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

New Lyon players Tanguy Ndombele and Romain Faivre were given starts and did not disappoint as they combined well to create Ekambi's goal.

Following an inconsistent first half of the season, Lyon has shown progress in recent weeks and has won four of its past five matches to move to sixth place overall, five points behind Nice.

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Nice's Melvin Bard and Lyon's Tino Kadewere, right, eye the ball during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

Nice's Flavius Daniliuc, right, fights for the ball with Lyon's Maxence Caqueret during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

Nice's Pablo Rosario gestures as Lyon's Lucas Paqueta, right, runs with the ball during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

Lyon's Moussa Dembele reacts after being caught offside during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

Nice's Flavius Daniliuc fights for the ball with Lyon's Karl Toko Ekambi, center, during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)

Nice's Flavius Daniliuc, on the ground, shields the ball from Lyon's Moussa Dembele during the French League 1 soccer match between Lyon and Nice, at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani)