Olympique Lyon vs. Lorient

This was far from a one-sided affair, though the visiting outfit lacked the creativity and decision-making their hosts could muster, and would eventually be punished midway through the second half, when substitute Sidney Govou’s cross was powered home by the Brazilian.

A purposeful yet fruitless burst forward from Lorient’s Kevin Gameiro straight from kick-off rather set the tone for the first half, in which les Merlus impressed for long periods but never really threatened to sufficiently stretch OL to make them uncomfortable.

Indeed, it would be the hosts that mustered the first shot on target, the confident Bafetimbi Gomis taking aim from the outside of the box only to have the ball’s route to goal barred by the safe hands of Fabien Audard.

On five minutes Marama Vahirua showed Cris a clean pair of heels, but Hugo Lloris had read the situation well and was out swiftly enough to prevent the nippy striker from getting away an effective shot on goal.

Lorient’s intelligent strike pairing of Vahirua and Gameiro were tugging the hosts defense in several directions, a workout the rearguard did not relish.

Despite their discomfort, Lyon held firm, and there would be something of a sea change when Yasid Mansouri was replaced by James Fanchone due to injury midway through the first period.

OL did not become vastly more impressive, but they were more imposing on the game, stringing passes together more fluidly and altogether looking a better unit. Les Gones pressed and harried more effectively in the closing five minutes of the first half, but all they had to show for their efforts was a Bastos free kick impressively repulsed by Audard.

Bastos’ influence on the game would become increasing apparent after the break, when he enjoyed a terrific battle with Jeremy Morel. On one occasion he wriggled free and created enough room for a solid shot at goal, but Audard made a good block.

Claude Puel tried to turn the screw on Lorient by introducing Sidney Govou, but the guests responded well, with Vahirua sending a shot narrowly over Lloris’ goal.

With time slowly running out, Lyon were becoming increasingly desperate. But the introduction of Govou had given them a little more vigour, and it would be the France international’s cross that would finally unlock the stubborn visitors, Bastos surging to thump home an uncompromising header.

Lyon have rarely looked entirely secure this season, so it came as little shock that Lloris would have to come to their rescue again prior to the conclusion of play - the young custodian making a superb stop to prevent Olivier Monterrubbio from bursting his net with a well-struck effort.

Les Merlus were certainly in no mood to yield without a fight, making life extremely uncomfortable for their illustrious hosts in the closing stages of play. Gameiro might’ve created a goal with a good run had he not chosen the wrong option in the box, and this would prove the last true opening of the game.