Lyon roar to victory over Bayern

Lyon and Munich's form could not be more different

Lyon 3-0 Bayern Munich

Young striker Sidney Govou scored two superb goals as Olympique Lyon beat Bayern Munich to keep alive their chances of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Govou, starting only because Steve Marlet was suspended, put the French side ahead after 13 minutes and then doubled Lyon's lead with a superb long-range shot seven minutes later.

Midfielder Pierre Laigle scored the third Lyon goal in the 71st minute - again after good work from the speedy Govou - as Lyon recorded one of the best wins in their history.

Bayern still lead Group C but must now secure at least a draw against Arsenal whom they play host to next week to proceed to the last eight.

Constant threat

Bayern were outplayed by a Lyon side who were without suspended trio Marc-Vivien Foe, Marlet and Patrick Muller as well as Edmilson, who was on duty with Brazil.

The French side, unbeaten in their last seven league matches, nonetheless began brilliantly - their quick interpassing posing a constant threat to the Bayern defence.

Govou opened the scoring after Brazilian Sonny Anderson got away on the right.

Govou controlled his cross and then lashed the ball into the net with his right foot.

And his second goal was even more spectacular - a crashing drive from outside the area that flew into the top corner leaving Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn helpless.

Anderson had a superb volley disallowed for offside and Kahn made a fine save from Eric Deflandre as Lyon continued to attack.

Deserved win

The pattern was much the same in the second half and Laigle netted after the Bayern defence failed to clear Govou's cross - ramming the ball home from 12 metres out.

"We deserved this win - we took our chances well," said Laigle.

"Everything Sidney does works at the moment, while our midfield did a great pressing job. We are still in with a chance."

Bayern managed only two shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes - Paulo Sergio and Elber were both off target.

The addition of Carsten Jancker after the break improved the Bayern attack - but Lyon remained the better side and deserved their win.

Bayern have now won only once in seven European matches they have played in France.

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Lyon: Coupet, Deflandre, Cacapa, Brechet, Violeau, Laigle, Dhorasoo, Delmotte, Linares, Anderson, Govou. Subs: Hugues, Blanc, Loko, Malbranque, Chanelet, Viale, Balmont.

Bayern Munich: Kahn, Sagnol, Kuffour, Andersson, Linke, Effenberg, Sergio, Jeremies, Tarnat, Salihamidzic, Elber. Subs: Dreher, Weisinger, Scholl, Fink, Jancker, Hargreaves, Di Salvo.