15-3-2024 Toulouse 2 OL. Lyon 3 Ligue 1

Les Violets have captured local support after recently gaining promotion back to Ligue 1 and winning the Coupe de France last year.

Hence a near full house, in a vibrant atmosphere led by their impressive ultras, watched their heroes lead OL 2-1 before Pierre Sage’s side fought back to spoil the party.

The result consolidated Lyon in tenth, with still a slim chance of making the European places.

Lyon began this visit with the returning Alexander Lacazette up front and he showed his worth by slotting a rebound after Tolisso had hit the woodwork, on 33 minutes.

The visitors had begun well with Matic in front of the backline and Caqueret prominent in midfield.

While Toulouse struggled to create serious chances, at least in the first 45.

But that situation would change early in the second when a fine through ball allowed Kamanzi to cross to Dallinga for an easy finish.

Within five minutes it was 2-1 after Appiah rashly lost the ball and then brought down an opposition player giving Toulouse a penalty.

Which Captain Sierro dispatched into the corner.

That certainly raised the noise levels.

Pierre Sage made changes, including bringing on Mathis Cherki and Mama Balde and taking off the ineffective Maitland-Niles. 

And it was the Guinea-Bissau forward who delivered the ball for Cherki to equalise on 75.

Twenty-one-year-old Cherki would go close soon after before he sent over the corner that Irish defender Jake O'Brien headed home for the winner.

That dampened the party somewhat in what was an entertaining second half, especially for a neutral.

Thus OL consolidated in the top ten and kept up their slight chance of making the European places.

For Toulouse, for whom Christian Mawissa looked a talent, and their superb fans the loss was a bit tough to take.

Analysis - John Bethell

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