FC Sion beat FC Stade Nyonnais 4-0 on Friday. The win moved the Valais outfit provisionally five points clear of FC Thun and gave them their 17th Challenge League victory of the season!

The facts

The match could not have got off to a better start for FC Sion. Just two minutes into the second half, Chouaref's cross was deflected into his own net by Petit. The rest of the first half was, to say the least, fast-paced. Taking advantage of a few inaccuracies, both teams looked dangerous.

The Valaisans had to rely on Fayulu (double save) and Lavanchy (perfect tackle in front of the empty net) to keep a one-goal advantage at the break. On the offensive, attempts by Sorgic, Chouaref and Berdayes were unfortunately unsuccessful. By tea-time, the Sédunois were two goals ahead. 

The second half also got off to a flying start. Barely ten minutes after the restart, it was Vaud captain Quentin Gaillard who first shone. Foul twice in just two minutes, the Nyon midfielder was deservedly sent off, receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.

From then on, the Valaisans were able to increase their domination and double their lead with 25 minutes remaining. Lavanchy's pinpoint cross from the right was met by Karim Sow, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Omeragic.

With eleven men against ten, Didier Tholot's men continued to push forward, scoring twice in the space of five minutes thanks to Sorgic's goal following a mistake by Sow and Baltazar's splendid left-foot shot.

FC Sion were solid in the face of the opposition and picked up an important victory in the race for promotion. As a result, the Valais outfit are guaranteed to finish the day as Challenge League leaders.

Reactions

Didier Tholot, FC Sion coach.

"It's a good operation. This victory is especially important from an accounting and mental point of view. It shows everyone that we're still here and that we're not running out of steam. I liked our energy and our impact in the duels."

"I wouldn't say we were lucky with our first two goals. We had other opportunities where we could have scored and, above all, we created those dangerous situations."

"We picked ourselves up after losing to Thun. We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game against a team on the back of three wins and a draw in the last few league games."

"Some of the media were talking about the start of a crisis. I think that with only

The compositions

FC Stade Nyonnais - FC Sion 0-4 (0-1)
Nyon, Centre sportif de Colovray, 2050 spectators
Referees: Huwiler; Lötscher, Jancevski; Brunner.
Goals: 2' Petit (0-1, CSC), 67' Sow (0-2, CSC), 68' Sorgic, 73' Baltazar.
Warnings: 15' Sylvestre-Brac, 33' Bua, 51' Gaillard, 53' Gaillard, 77' Richard, 88' Zagré.
Expulsion: 53' Gaillard
FC Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy (76' Richard), Schmied, Ziegler (82' Kronig), Hefti; Baltazar, Kabacalman (76' Rusev); Souza (74' Chipperfield), Chouaref, Berdayes; Sorgic (73' Zagré).
FC Stade Nyonnais: Omeragic; Sow (72' Abdallah H.), Sylvestre-Brac (62' Busset), Petit; Gazzetta (72' Koré), Dugourd (62' Escorza), Gaillard, Fouley (83' De Pierro), Sawadog; Pasche, Gomis.
Notes: Sion without Itaitinga, Bouchlarhem and Bua (injured). Nyon without Olaniyi, Pedat and Carraco (injured).

What's next?

FC Sion begin a busy week. The Valaisans take on Neuchâtel Xamax on Tuesday evening in Tourbillon before facing Vaduz, once again at home, next Saturday evening. 

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