PARIS (AP) — Forward Georges Mikautadze scored one goal and set up another as resurgent Lyon won 3-1 at Auxerre on Sunday to climb into fourth place in Ligue 1.
It was Lyon’s fifth win in the last six league games and moved it one point behind Marseille in third place, and one point above Lille in fifth. The top three get an automatic spot in next season's Champions League while the team in fourth enters qualifying.
Mikautadze tucked away a penalty in the 54th minute after being fouled by goalkeeper Donovan Léon as he went clean through.
Right back Saël Kumbedi and midfielder Corentin Tolisso then combined to set up Rayan Cherki for a neat curled finish in the 62nd.
After Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko pulled one back, the fleet-footed Mikautadze pinged over a low cross from the left to give veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette an easy finish in the 84th.
Lyon visits bitter local rival Saint-Etienne next Sunday, with Mikautadze facing countryman Zuriko Davitashvili and much at stake for both sides at opposite ends of the table.
Never give up
Saint-Etienne earlier came from behind three times to draw 3-3 with Brest in Ligue 1 and earn a valuable point in its relegation fight.
The draw moved 17th-placed Saint-Etienne three points behind Le Havre in the relegation-playoff spot with five rounds left.
The manner of the performance may give Saint-Etienne fans hope, although the club has a difficult run-in. Saint-Etienne also faces high-flying Monaco and Strasbourg — with those sides chasing a Champions League spot next season.
Eighth-placed Brest led 3-2 after a thrilling first half where striker Ludovic Ajorque scored twice for the visitors and Abdallah Sima got the other goal, while lively forwards Lucas Stassin and Irvin Cardona netted for Saint-Etienne.
Cardona made it 3-3 with 10 minutes to go and Saint-Etienne went close to winning when Davitashvili's header hit the crossbar five minutes into stoppage time.
Rennes routs Le Havre
Rennes raced into a 3-0 lead inside 15 minutes on the way to a 5-1 win at Le Havre.
Dutch midfielder Azor Matusiwa scored after 37 seconds following a huge blunder by goalkeeper Mathieu Gorgelin, who passed the ball straight to a Rennes player. Striker Arnaud Kalimuendo then set up Matusiwa for an empty-net goal.
Defender Lorenz Assignon and Kalimuendo netted soon after. Le Havre pulled one back before the break but Jordan forward Mousa Tamari and substitute Andrés Gomez grabbed completed a rout as Rennes moved up to 11th.
Montpellier's misery continues
Striker Esteban Lepaul scored twice as Angers beat rock-bottom Montpellier 2-0 and pushed it closer to relegation.
Montpellier is 12 points behind Le Havre with only 15 points available.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press
