Seventh straight title for record-setting Lyons

(GETTY IMAGES)

Lyons wrapped up a record seventh consecutive French title with a convincing 3-1 win at Auxerre on Saturday. Lyons ended the season with 79 points, four ahead of second-placed Bordeaux, who had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Lens that sent the northerners down.

No other team from a major European league have won six straight titles, let alone seven. France striker Karim Benzema, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League, opened the scoring for Lyons after just 24 seconds.

The goal took Benzema's tally to 20 as he finished the season as leading scorer in the French top flight. Brazilian striker Fred doubled Lyons' advantage in the 10th minute and Kim Kallstrom headed their third, eight minutes into the second half. Lyons will bid for a first domestic double in next Saturday's French Cup final against Paris St-Germain, who escaped being relegated with a 2-1 win at Sochaux.

"We are very, very happy and proud. It was the club's objective," Lyons forward Hatem Ben Arfa said.