Traore thunderbolts send nine-man Lorient second

PARIS: Nine-man Lorient won 2-1 at 10-man Rennes in a card-strewn Brittany derby on Sunday to climb to second place in the Ligue 1 table and leave their local rivals in the bottom three.
Burkinabe midfielder Alain Traore was the visitors’ match-winner, putting Lorient ahead with a fine 30-yard lob in the 23rd minute and extending their lead just before half-time with a ferocious free-kick that swerved into the top-left corner.
Lorient had Maxime Baca sent off for a two-footed lunge at Jonathan Pitroipa in the 31st minute and then saw goalkeeper Fabien Audard dismissed for a foul on the same player eight minutes into the second half.
Pitroipa reduced the arrears in the 71st minute, but Rennes’ momentum was clipped seven minutes later when substitute Cheick Diarra saw red for an ugly high foul on the impressive Traore.
Lyon, second at the start of the day, host Ajaccio later on Sunday, while leaders Marseille will bid to maintain their 100 percent record when they visit fourth-bottom Nancy in the late match.