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Updated Monday, March 17, 2008 0:00 am TWN, Reuters



	Lyon’s Karim Benzema, center, challenges Monaco goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at Louis II stadium in Monaco Saturday. (Reuters) Enlarge Photo

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Kader Keita double helps Olympique Lyon move nine points clear to top

PARIS -- Two goals from Ivory Coast forward Kader Keita helped Olympique Lyon win 3-0 at Monaco on Saturday and move nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

Lyon scored all their goals before the break, with Keita showing them the way with a superb strike from the edge of the box on 20 minutes.

Brazilian forward Fred doubled the advantage from close range on 35 minutes and three minutes later, Keita exploited a defensive blunder to flick the ball over Monaco goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.

Lyon move on to 61 points from 29 games, nine ahead of second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who are at home to Racing Strasbourg on Sunday.

“We started well and the players gave it their very best,” said Lyon coach Alain Perrin.

“We won away, which was our goal, and that puts us in a good position for the title.”

Lyon, chasing not only another Ligue 1 crown but also their first domestic double, boosted their morale before welcoming French Cup holders Sochaux in the round of 16 next week.

Sochaux warmed up for that fixture with a 1-1 home draw with frontrunners Nancy on Saturday.

Turkish forward Mevlut Erding put Sochaux in front on 53 minutes but Nancy earned a share of the points courtesy of a late goal from Morocco midfielder Moncef Zerka.

Nancy stuck to third place but dropped 12 points off the pace. The easterners are four points ahead of fourth-placed Olympique Marseille, visiting Racing Lens on Sunday.

Troubled Paris St Germain needed a late headed goal from their captain, former Portugal striker Pauleta, to salvage a 1-1 home draw with Valenciennes. The visitors had moved into the lead thanks to an own goal by Brazilian defender Ceara.

The capital side stay fourth from bottom, just outside the relegation zone.

There was plenty in action in Lille where the northerners, who climb four places to seventh, thumped Caen 5-0 with a double each for Switzerland defender Stefan Lichtsteiner and midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

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