THE MATCH

After a slow start to the season that had seen Lyon pick up just a single point from their opening two matches of the campaign, freshly appointed coach Peter Bosz knew another disappointment in front of an expectant crowd at the Groupama Stadium would make life difficult. The former Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen boss has forged his reputation on attacking football, and that was what the crowd were treated to in the opening 45 minutes, though come the final whistle, they might have preferred things to have been a little less exciting…

Dembélé had not scored since late November when he netted his only goal of an underwhelming 2020/21 season, but the ex-Celtic man looked far from rusty as he first won and then converted a penalty to gift Lyon the perfect start (5').

When the ball ricocheted into his own net off Sinaly Diomandé from Jason Berthomier's corner (12'), Lyon were deflated, but Dembélé lifted their spirits with a classic striker's goal, following up to finish high into the net after Lucas Paqueta's drive had been parried by Arthur Demas (24').

Clermont should have been level within 60 seconds as Lyon again switched off after scoring, but Mohamed Bayo fired over the bar after being fabulously picked out by Arial Mendy while Anthony Lopes produced a top-drawer save to keep out Berthomier's effort that had appeared destined for the top corner (37').

Clermont were aiming to become the first French top-flight team to win their opening three Ligue 1 games since Bordeaux in 1945/46, but those ambitions faded further when Paqueta teamed up with Bruno Guimaraes and Houssem Aouar to add a brilliant third OL goal of the half.

Darting in from the right, the Brazil international played a pass into his compatriot Guimaraes, who instantly backheeled the ball back into his path; Paqueta then exchanged a one-two with Aouar before steering a first-time shot low beyond Demas for a goal of the season contender (45+2').

Dembélé might have completed a hat-trick had Paqueta picked him out instead of going for goal himself just after the break (46'); Aouar felt he should have had the game's second penalty when he tangled with Johan Gastien (63'), but referee Thomas Léonard was unimpressed by the hosts' appeals. Had Dembélé not taken the ball off Tino Kadewere's toe with the Zimbabwe international poised to shoot (74'), and if Kadewere had stepped round rather than try to chip Demas shortly after (80'), Lyon would surely have added to the scoreline.

Those misses proved costly as Rashani, who had come off the bench with 21 minutes left, chipped in his first goal for the club he joined this summer (80'), and then levelled in added time with a firm header from a Gastien corner (90+1').

By the time of the Kosovo international's second goal, it should have just been a consolation strike as Aouar and Karl Toko-Ekambi should have made it four for the hosts (88'); in the end, though, Lyon could even have lost the game with Bayo firing wastefully wide (90+4') in a frantic finish that meant the hosts left the pitch under the boos and whistles of the home fans.

THE PLAYER: Moussa Dembélé

After a 2020/21 season in which he appeared to lose his way and his confidence, the powerful forward looked sharp as he ended his long wait for a goal. If the 25-year-old can maintain this form, Lyon will have the man who can compensate for Memphis Depay's departure in terms of goals. The fact he ended the match wearing the captain's armband following Léo Dubois' substitution suggests he may also take on the Dutchman's responsibility in the dressing room too.

THE STAT: 18

There were 18 shots in the first half of the game, the joint-most of any match this season, equalling that of the Reims-Montpellier encounter last weekend.

>> MATCH REPORT: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Lille