Lyon have maintained their hopes of snatching a European spot for next season when Moussa Dembele's early goal earned them a 1-0 home win over Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.
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Dembele scored with a penalty to lift Lyon up to 10th on 31 points from 21 games, four points behind Racing Strasbourg who occupy the Europa League place.
The result left rock-bottom St-Etienne on 12 points, six from safety.
In France's fiercest derby, Lyon dominated and were rewarded after 15 minutes when Dembele coolly converted a penalty after being brought down by Timothee Kolodziejczak.
Houssem Aouar had a couple of chances to double the tally before the break but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring, with Anthony Lopes brilliantly tipping away Mahdi Camara's header in the 41st minute.
Paul Bernardoni kept his team afloat with a string of great saves to deny Tino Kadewere and Aouar in the second half.
Aouar had yet another chance to double Lyon's advantage but he skied his late attempt over the bar as his team extended their unbeaten league run to six games.
Lyon and Saint-Etienne and only 60 kilometres apart and their rivalry is one of the hottest in French football.
Saint-Etienne dominated the league during the 1960s and '70s and won a record 10 league titles while Lyon have the most consecutive French league crowns, seven from 2002-08.
Australian Associated Press
