Given the high standards at PSG under head coach Luis Enrique, their league form so far this campaign has been slightly underwhelming. They have won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles, often at a canter, yet they entered this encounter third in the table. However, victory here would see them return to the top spot, and they went about dominating their opponents from the off.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium early on, with Willian Pancho’s header over the crossbar one of the occasions where the side from the capital threatened.
However, the Parisians have the ability to strike out of nowhere, and they did just that to break the deadlock midway through the half. Vitinha’s fantastic ball over the top was run onto by Warren Zaire-Emery and, lacking alternative options, the France international hammered into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Lyon, though, are enjoying a solid season, and were up for a fight in the knowledge that a win would see them ascend into the top four.
Within five minutes of PSG’s opener, Les Gones were on level terms when Alfonso Moreira kept his cool to slot past Lucas Chevalier after being released by Moussa Niakhate.
Again, though, Enrique’s side were soon back in front, and this time Lyon shot themselves in the foot. Vitinha won possession back from Tanner Tessmann in Lyon's half, allowing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to curl into the corner unchallenged from just inside the area.
Lyon captain Nicolas Tagliafico did hit the post not long after, but the hosts went into the break trailing and up against it as they looked to take something from the encounter.
Within minutes of the restart, though, Lyon were level once more. There will be questions asked of Chevalier, who was in no man’s land as Tyler Morton aimed a long ball forward, but the lobbed finish from Ainsley Maitland-Niles was weighted to perfection as it crept just under the crossbar.
Despite an intense opening 50 minutes with plenty of chances for both sides, the remainder of the match was somewhat lacking in goalmouth action, with Kang-in Lee’s effort that was pushed to safety by Dominik Greif the best chance either side had to snatch all three points.
In stoppage time, Tagliafico earned himself a second yellow card to leave Lyon with a numerical disadvantage to see the game out. And, in the end, they were unable to hold on as Neves nodded Lee’s corner past the despairing grasp of Greif.
This result means PSG have now lost just one of their past 10 matches in all competitions, while Lyon have won just one of their past six. They will be bitterly disappointed to lose in such fashion, although the overall performance will please manager Paulo Fonseca, who will have to watch just two more Ligue 1 matches in the stands as his nine-month ban approaches its end.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alfonso Moreira (Lyon)
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