Boufal has been the only stand-out performer in a lifeless Lille attack this season

Paris (AFP) - Nine-man Lyon missed the chance to move into the third and final Champions League place in France as they lost 1-0 at Lille on Sunday, while Michy Batshuayi rescued a 1-1 draw for Marseille against Saint-Etienne.

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Sofiane Boufal scored the only goal of the game at Lille in the 28th minute, as a desperately poor Lyon saw their run of three consecutive wins come to an end.

After Saint-Etienne's draw, Lyon knew three points would move them into the coveted third place, but they failed to take their chance.

Boufal has been the only stand-out performer in a lifeless Lille attack this season, and he opened the scoring at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with his eighth goal this term.

His free-kick from the left wing evaded everyone in the middle, including a leaden-footed Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, as it bounced into the net.

After scoring 10 goals in a run of three comprehensive victories, Bruno Genesio's Lyon would have been confident going into this encounter.

View galleryMarseille's Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi celebrates …
Marseille's Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi celebrates after scoring the equaliser goal during t …
But they created very little in a drab first half display and shortly after the restart they were lucky to see Lille striker Yassine Benzia drag a shot hopelessly wide when in on goal.

On the hour mark any fading hopes the visitors had of moving into the Champions League spots were all but ended, when right-back Christophe Jallet saw a second yellow card for holding back Eric Bautheac.