Lyon slips further behind after 2-0 home defeat to Rennes in French league

PARIS, Feb 12 (AP): Lyon conceded further ground in the tight fight for second place in the French league after losing 2-0 at home to Rennes on Sunday.

Fourth-placed Lyon has lost three straight games since an inspired win against league leader Paris Saint-Germain last month, and is four points behind third-placed Marseille and five behind second-placed Monaco. PSG won 1-0 at Toulouse on Saturday, thanks to Neymar's goal, and is 17 points ahead of Lyon.

For all of Lyon's undoubted attacking flair, it still defends badly and the opening goal from Rennes after five minutes perfectly demonstrated this ongoing weakness. Following Rennes' clearance up the field, Lyon's Brazilian center half Marcelo clumsily headed the ball straight into the path of winger Whabi Khazri, who ran through before calmly slotting the ball under goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

Lyon top scorer Nabil Fekir remonstrated angrily with the officials after his claims for a second-half penalty were turned down. He appeared to be clearly impeded as he changed direction inside the area.