Lyon cruises past Lorient

By foxsports
Published

Lyon kept up the pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain after coming from behind against Lorient to register their first home win of 2013.

The visitors took the lead at the Stade Gerland in the 11th minute through Jeremie Aliadiere's header before Lisandro Lopez drew things level in the 24th.

Rachid Ghezzal then put OL in front in the 50th minute and Arnold Mvuemba added their third in stoppage time to secure a victory that takes them level on points with PSG, who are at home against third-placed Marseille - five points behind the top two - on Sunday evening.

Ninth-placed Lorient, who went into the contest having lost only twice in their last 11 Ligue 1 fixtures, were 1-0 up early on when Aliadiere beat Anthony Reveillere to Maxime Barthleme's corner with a header which goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre punched but could not prevent from going in off the crossbar.

Lopez provided Lyon's response by collecting the ball from Alexandre Lacazette's left-flank delivery, beating defender Bruno Ecuele Manga and shooting low past Fabien Audard.

Three minutes later Lorient went close as a good move involving Aliadiere, Yann Jouffre and Kevin Monnet-Paquet saw the latter produce an effort that sent the ball rolling along the line without crossing it.

The away side conjured another nice combination in the 37th minute with Wesley Lautoa releasing Joffre, whose pass was flicked on by Monnet-Paquet for Benjamin Corgnet to drive goalwards, bringing a save from Vercoutre.

Having weathered something of a storm, the hosts grabbed the advantage for the first time in the contest shortly after the restart when Audard pushed away a Lopez header and Ghezzal followed up with a simple right-footed finish.

With six minutes of normal time remaining, Ghezzal teed up Yassine Benzia, who dribbled past Lamine Kone and unleashed a shot that skimmed the crossbar.

Lyon were not to be denied and in the 92nd minute, Benzia combined with Mvuemba and the ex-Lorient man got the better of Audard with a terrific right-footed strike.