Basel held but Lucerne lose

Super League leaders Basel were brought back down to earth after their midweek heroics, being forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Neuchatel Xamax. Having knocked Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, a return to domestic action looked to be ending in success when Marco Streller gave Basel the lead with 13 minutes gone. Having already been reduced to ten men by Stephane Besle's 53rd-minute sending-off, Neuchatel looked to be out of the contest but, with nine minutes left, they equalised through substitute Abdourahman Dampha. Basel left the pitch to good news, though, with second-placed Lucerne having lost 2-1 at home to Servette. Silva Eudis gave the visitors the lead and, although Adrian Winter levelled, Antonio Azevedo settled things with 13 minutes remaining. In the day's other game, bottom club Lausanne Sports beat fellow strugglers Grasshoppers 2-1. They were well on their way by half-time thanks to goals from Figueiredo Gleidionor and Nicolas Marin, and held on despite Daniel Pavlovic pulling one back.