Sparta well set after defeating Lausanne

Two goals from Wilfried Bony inspired AC Sparta Praha to a 3-1 victory over FC Lausanne-Sport which leaves them on the brink of a place in the UEFA Europa League round of 32.

After falling behind to Guillaume Katz's early header, Bony made a prolonged spell of Sparta pressure tell on the cusp of half-time. A deft chip from Leony Kweuke 15 minutes from time and Bony's second late on lift the Czech side on to seven points in Group F, four clear of third-placed US Città di Palermo.

Having earned a 3-3 draw on Matchday 3 thanks to an added-time strike, Lausanne followed it up with an early goal in the return, though not before Sparta had twice threatened. Juraj Kucka headed Kamil Vacek's corner narrowly wide; Jiří Kladrubský's shot shaved the outside of the post.

The hosts, though, promptly took the lead through centre-back Katz, who rose among a throng of players to apply the merest of touches to Nicolas Marazzi's floated free-kick. The visitors immediately set about restoring parity, Bony the next to be frustrated when his effort was saved by goalkeeper Anthony Favre.

Bony fired over from a short free-kick, Kweuke shot wide following a surging run and Katz showed his worth at the other end by hooking off the line after Favre had partially saved Erich Brabec's header. The goal Sparta's pressure warranted finally arrived on 45 minutes and this time Bony found his range, volleying in Vacek's header after Lausanne failed to clear Adiaba Bondoa's throw-in.

Kweuke took matters into his own hands 15 minutes from time in a hitherto quiet second period. The No9 ran on to Vacek's hopeful ball forward and deftly lobbed the stranded Favre. Bony's measured finish in added time put the seal on a profitable night for the visitors.