PARIS (AFP) - Brazilian international striker Fred inspired French champions Lyon to a come from behind 2-1 victory at Lille here and give them a much needed boost ahead of their Champions League clash with AS Roma next Wednesday.

For Lille - who were watched by Sir Alex Ferguson manager of their Champions League opponents Manchester United - it was a bitter disappointment even if victory would still have only meant they trailed Lyon by 12 points in the title race.

It looked as if Lille would gain their vital confidence booster when the rarely used former Lorient star Johan Audel struck in the 52nd minute as one on one with France ´keeper Gregory Coupet he slotted home easily in what was only his third appearance of what has been a troubled season for him.

However Lyon who have been a shadow of their dominant selves since the turn of the year, and devoid of the inspirational midfield talents of the injured Portugeses international Tiago and the suspended Juninho, gradually fought their way back into the match.

It paid off eventually eight minutes from time as Fred struck an unstoppable freekick past Lille´s Senegalese international ´keeper Tony Sylva.

That was bad enough for the hosts but it became even worse a minute from the finish as Jeremy Toulalan´s freekick saw former Monaco defender Sebastien Squillaci lob Sylva for the winner and Lyon´s first win at Lille in the past five seasons.