Rayan Cherki volleys Lyon into top four against Lille

It was a battle between two European contenders at the Groupama Stadium on Saturday night as sixth-placed Olympique Lyonnais faced off against a LOSC side sat fourth in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table. For Les Dogues, it was an opportunity to rise above Olympique de Marseille before tomorrow's action - already buoyed by their Derby du Nord win last week. For Paulo Fonseca's Lyon, a win would have taken Les Gones above their visitors of the evening.

It began in ideal fashion for the away side, who were facing their former manager Fonseca for the first time since his appointment back in January. Bafodé Diakité rose highest from a corner whipped in from the left side in the first minute to head LOSC in front (1'). A shockwave for Les Gones, who had to battle their way back into the game during the first half. There was worry when Ernest Nuamah had to be replaced due to injury: but it left a great opportunity for Lyon's creative outlet Rayan Cherki to come on to try and impact the game. The hosts would push, but then they got the perfect opportunity to get back into the affair late in the half, when Lille defender Thomas Meunier was adjudged to have handled the ball after a cross was headed by Alexandre Lacazette.

It was then the Frenchman and OL captain who stepped up emphatically after a stuttered run-up to send Chevalier the wrong way and get his back on level terms (38'). At the start of the second half it was Lille's Ngal'ayel Mukau who had to come off with an injury for Matteo Fernandez-Pardo. But it was OL's earlier substitute who put Les Gones ahead with his seventh goal of the season: with a finish on the half-volley after two deftly flicked headers from Tagliafico and then Tolisso to set up the France U21 international (69').

Les Gones would hold out the result to head into the top four with five games to go, giving them a boost in their bid for UEFA Champions League qualification.

STAT: Sweet Sixteen

Olympique Lyonnais are the Ligue 1 McDonald's side to have taken most points after going behind, with AS Monaco (16 times). 

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