Lorient continue good run of form with surprise victory over disappointing Lyon
Home supporters had to wait longer than expected for this match, as it was initially postponed due to a damaged pitch at the Stade du Moustoir. They had a goal to celebrate within six minutes of it starting, though, as Enzo Le Fee sent an exquisite free-kick flying into the top corner to put his side ahead.
Les Merlus looked stronger for much of the opening half-hour but ended that period level after Tete drew in defenders before teeing up Alexandre Lacazette, who clinically finished for his fourth goal of the season - already equalling his Premier League tally for Arsenal last term.
Undeterred, Les Merlus kept pushing forward and regained their lead within five minutes. Thiago Mendes was unable to deal with Yvan Mvogo’s long ball up the pitch and was dispossessed by Dango Ouattara, who sent a backheel towards Terem Moffi, allowing the Nigerian to dink the ball past Anthony Lopes for his fifth goal in four games.
Peter Bosz made a triple change at HT and would have seen his side restore parity if Lacazette hadn’t made a complete mess of his attempt from inside the box.
Instead, Lyon’s deficit was doubled as another swift Lorient move forward resulted in Ouattara latching onto Gedeon Kalulu’s cross and applying a first-time finish to score in back-to-back games.
The visitors’ frustrations continued when Damien Da Silva bundled the ball into the net, as it transpired that he’d done so with his arm. A slick move then found Moussa Dembele through on goal only for the frontman to send a tame effort into Mvogo’s clutches.
The visitors pushed for an unlikely comeback throughout the latter stages, but Mvogo instinctively stopped Nicolas Tagliafico’s header as Lorient stood strong on their way to recording back-to-back victories for the first time since May 2021, with their only defeat this campaign coming against RC Lens.
Meanwhile, Lyon’s seven-match unbeaten run, which had stretched back to last season, was ended.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dango Ouattara (Lorient)
