Olympique Lyonnais pulled onto the Ligue 1 Uber Eats podium after Houssem Aouar, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes fired them to a 4-1 win over struggling FC Lorient.
Olympique Lyonnais 4-1 FC Lorient
THE MATCH
Lyon beat AS Monaco 3-2 in their European six-pointer last Sunday, and they set about extending on that victory early on against their visitors, who began the day 13 places and 32 points below them. Rayan Cherki - scorer of the winner five minutes from time last week - waited less than a minute to threaten this time, his header from Paqueta's cross flying over (1'). Karl Toko Ekambi then flashed an effort narrowly wide after giving Andreaw Gravillon the slip in the box (15'). Lorient had won their previous two games coming into this one - against Girondins de Bordeaux and Angers SCO - and they carved out the odd chance of their own, Terem Moffic with the best of them midway through the first half (20'). Aouar then hit the post (21') before Toko Ekambi tested Paul Nardi (26'). Nardi pulled off a stunning string of saves to deny first Tino Kadewere and then Guimaraes in quick succession towards the end of the half (39'), and it was 0-0 at the break.
Lyon pull clear
The second half was less than 10 minutes old when Lyon broke the deadlock, though. Aouar showed fine control to bring Cherki's cross under control under duress from Gravillon, before turning and finishing off his sixth goal of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats campaign (53'). Lyon then pulled further clear when Paqueta headed home at the back post (65') and the result was put beyond doubt after Guimaraes tucked away a penalty at the second time of asking - Nardi having saved his initial spot-kick only to have referee Mikaël Lesage demand a retake with the 'keeper's feet having left the line before Guimaraes had made contact first time around (71'). Guimaraes then made it 4-0- Islam Slimani - on at half-time for the injured Kadewere - poked through a sumptuous assist for the Brazilian, who finished from close range (77'). Thomas Monconduit pulled one back from distance (83') and it ended 4-1.
THE PLAYER: Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes normally provides the steel to Aouar's silk in Lyon's midfield, but he was given license to get forward here and took full advantage. The former Athletico Paranaense man had only previously scored one goal for Lyon - in a 3-0 win over Stade de Reims last November - so he trebled his tally here with his first career brace.
THE STAT: +4
Lyon did their goal-difference no harm at all here. Monaco can still technically pip them into third - and with it, contention for next season's UEFA Champions League - with two points to make up on les Gones but one more match to play. With only two rounds of fixtures left, OL's superior goal balance could prove vital.