Alexandre Lacazette bagged his eighth goal since returning to Olympique Lyonnais from Arsenal as Laurent Blanc picked up a win on his home debut against LOSC.
Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 LOSC
THE MATCH
Tim Weah got the nod on the right wing ahead of Adam Ounas and quickly set about repaying the faith shown in him by Blanc's opposite number Paulo Fonseca, cutting inside and steering an early effort towards the top corner which snuck over (11'). There was a penalty claim at the other end when Thiago Mendes' shot appeared to hit André Gomes' arm, but referee Jérôme Brisard waved play on (16'). Mendes went from near-hero to near-zero soon after when he gifted possession to Rémy Cabella. The former France international slipped Jonathan David through and the Canadian striker tried a first-time, lofted finish, but much to Mendes' relief it hit the bar and stayed out (31'). Lille had the better of the first half and were unlucky not to take a lead into the break. Weah got in behind Nicolas Tagliafico and headed the ball back across goal, but Anthony Lopes reacted quickly (42') and Brisard's whistle for half-time went with the deadlock intact.
Lacazette late show
Nearly an hour was gone until the next real chance of the game, and again it was Lille who conjured it. Cabella dummied to play Alexsandro clear down the left wing, he cut the ball back for Angel Gomés and the former Manchester United man curled an effort towards the top corner that Lopes did brilliantly to keep out (59'). Les Dogues had another chance soon after when David burst into the box before the ball broke to Jonathan Bamba, but Lopes made another crucial intervention (71'). It was positively against the run of play, then, when Lyon took the lead. Jérôme Boateng span the ball through to Tagliafico who sent a low cross in for Alexandre Lacazette to tap home him eighth goal of the season (74'). David and Cabella combined at the other end but Cabella's shot was then comfortably saved by Lopes (80') and it ended 1-0.
THE PLAYER: Alexandre Lacazette
Performances like tonight highlight just how important Lacazette can still be for Lyon. An academy graduate who scored 129 times in all competitions for les Gones before leaving for Arsenal in 2017, the 31 retains his keen eye for goal. He barely has a sniff at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday, but he only needed one chance to make the difference.
THE STAT: 4
David's effort that hit the bar was the fourth time he has hit the woodwork this season. No other player across Ligue 1 Uber Eats has been denied in the same manner as many times as the Canadian, who must have been left scratching his head as to how he ended up on the losing side here.
