Lyon spring into life with Monaco rout

PARIS (Reuters) - Olympique Lyonnais were in devastating form as they demolished visiting Monaco 4-1 to move up to sixth in the Ligue 1 standings on Sunday.

Rudi Garcia's side, who are not playing in any European competition this season, prevailed thanks to goals by Memphis Depay, Houssem Aouar and a Karl Toko Ekambi double while Monaco could only respond with a Wissam Ben Yedder penalty.

The result put OL on 13 points from eight games, five behind Paris St Germain, who lead the table following a 4-0 victory against Dijon on Saturday.

Lille missed an opportunity to reclaim the lead earlier on Sunday when they were held 1-1 at Nice and stayed behind PSG on goal difference.

In Lyon, Depay opened the scoring with a low crossed shot after being set up by Aouar, unveiling a t-shirt with the message 'Virgil - Stay strong my brother' in support of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who suffered a serious injury against Everton in the Premier League earlier this month.

Toko Ekambi doubled the tally in the 34th, finishing off form close range after collecting Tino Kadewere's cross.

Aouar added a third from the penalty spot after Djibril Sidibe brought down Toko Ekambi in the box four minutes before the interval.

The Cameroon striker netted his fourth goal of the season in the 44th after benefiting from some poor Monaco defending.

The visitors pulled one back with a penalty three minutes into the second half following a foul by defender Sinaly Diomande.

Lyon finished with 10 men when Melvin Bard picked up a straight red card for a brutal challenge on Ruben Aguilar, one minute from time.

Monaco are 12th on 11 points.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)