Switzerland round-up: Basel edge nearer summit

FC Basel’s 3-1 defeat of leaders Grasshopper-Club has closed the gap at the top of the Swiss first division to six points.

Crucial penalty
Defending champions Basel went behind on 19 minutes but levelled when Grasshoppers goalkeeper Fabrice Borer was dismissed for pulling down Hervé Tum. Mario Cantaluppi converting from the spot, but Christian Gimenez and Murat Yakin sealed the win late on in the second half.

Big wins
Newly promoted FC Thun stayed third with a 5-1 victory over fellow newcomers FC Wil 1900 while eigth-placed SR Delémont were also big winners, Samuel Ojongo’s hat-trick inspiring a 6-2 win against FC St. Gallen.

In-form Luzern
FC Luzern made it three wins in four when Switzerland Under-21 international Andre Muff snatched a last-minute winner in a 2-1 defeat of FC Aarau, who went ahead through Patrick De Napoli before Alexandre Monteiro levelled before the break.

Chapuisat on target
Elsewhere, Swiss legend Stéphane Chapuisat was on target in BSC Young Boys’ 2-1 home defeat of FC Zürich after Johann Berisha had put the hosts ahead on 27 minutes, Italian defender Luca Iodice equalising on the half-hour. Struggling Neuchâtel Xamax FC, meanwhile, defeated Servette FC 2-1 at home.