Alexandre Lacazette netted a hat trick and Anthony Lopes saved a penalty as the hosts beat their relegation rivals, 3-0, for Pierre Sage’s first win in charge of Olympique Lyonnais.
Lyon had showed signs of a revival after a spirited display in Lens last weekend, but a humbling defeat in the week to Marseille offered a grim reminder of the seven-time champions’ place in the relegation zone. A visit from a Toulouse side who have struggled domestically themselves would be an easier fixture, but given Les Gones’ issues at home this season, was far from a sure thing.
Sage changed tactics to play with a three-man defence, and also welcomed back Corentin Tolisso from injury. The academy graduate was important, playing in an advanced role in midfield and striking the bar, but it was his fellow hometown heroes, Lopes and Lacazette, who proved the most crucial to the match’s outcome.
After a lively first twenty minutes, Lyon struck first, with Lacazette turning home Jake O’Brien’s flick at a corner, having twice come close before that. It wasn’t long, either before his second, as Tolisso’s shot on the half-volley came off the post, with the captain pouncing from close range to double his side’s lead.
What else can we say than "IT'S LACA DAY" 💪🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/u3n8SB6N9b
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 10, 2023
Toulouse were unfazed, though, and were awarded a penalty on the stroke of halftime as Gabriel Suazo was brought down by Lopes. The veteran ‘keeper was quick to redeem himself, though, smartly diving to his left to keep out Thijs Dallinga’s effort, one of six saves made on the evening.
The action ebbed somewhat in the second, even as both teams made a raft of attacking changes, with neither seeing any big chances. Lacazette would have the final say in the match, though, stabbing home from close range as Les Violets struggled to clear a set piece.
Now on 33 goals in Ligue 1 since his return last summer, Lacazette’s incisive finishing was thus the story of the evening for Lyon, and the win, just their second of the season, allows them to move to within three points of safety ahead of next weekend’s trip to AS Monaco.
Toulouse, meanwhile, will regret the result, as they now occupy fifteenth place, synonymous with safety, but only just. Following a Europa League trip to Austria, they’ll host a Rennes side also in need of points before welcoming the Monégasques to close out 2023.
