Practice makes perfect for Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembélé, whose second successful spot-kick in as many matches proved the difference as OL prevailed 1-0 in the 124th Rhône derby against arch-rivals Saint-Etienne on Friday.
OL may have conceded just one defeat in their last nine matches, but Friday night was just the second time that Peter Bosz's side have won two in a row in the league - an achievement that has come thanks to Moussa Dembélé's prowess from the penalty spot.
After clinching the winner from the spot in the 1-0 victory in Troyes in Round 21, the powerful striker was at it again at the Groupama Stadium on Friday. Following a foul in the area from Saint-Etienne's Timothée Kolodziejczak - a former OL player - Dembélé picked himself up to deftly wrong-foot newly arrived 'keeper Paul Bernardoni and bag the winner.
'Keep our heads and keep going'
"I practice taking penalties and it pays off," said the PSG youth academy product who sits equal second on the club's scoring chart with six goals (three penalties) despite having missed seven matches with a fissured fibula. "We got the three points, we are happy. That was the most important thing. I feel good. We have to continue to give 100% in training and during the matches. We have to keep our heads and keep going. We needed to be sharper with our finishing; we could have killed the game off a lot earlier."
The win is a welcome one for a Lyon side who have flattered to deceive under Dutch coach Bosz, taking the team as it does into the top half of the table for the first time since Round 15.
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