Paqueta impresses as Lyon beat Brest to go top of Ligue 1

Lyon got their Ligue 1 title bid back on track with a 3-2 away victory over Brest. Three goals in the first half alone for Lyon seemed like the game was done and dusted for the visitors. However, it was far from it. The first goal came via Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta just after nine […]
2021-02-22 01:40:30

Lyon got their Ligue 1 title bid back on track with a 3-2 away victory over Brest.

Three goals in the first half alone for Lyon seemed like the game was done and dusted for the visitors. However, it was far from it.

The first goal came via Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta just after nine minutes. Brest goalkeeper Sébastien Cibois had a moment to forget when he tried to dribble the 24-year-old and got caught in possession.

Paqueta got hold of the ball and tapped into an empty net for his third league goal of the season.

It was also the second match in succession he had got on the score-sheet, having scored Lyon’s only goal in their 2-1 loss to Montpellier last time out. Once again, he was one of Lyon’s best players on the pitch.

Lyon proved to be too much to handle for Brest, with their attacking prowess visible against their opponents. Moments before the half-hour mark, Thiago Mendes stole the ball just outside the box and found Memphis Depay in the box. The in-form Dutchman squared the ball perfectly for Houssem Aouar to make it 2-0.

Just on the stroke of half time, Depay then converted from the spot to make it 3-0, his 14th goal of the season as well.

It seemed like three points secured for Lyon already but the second half saw a different tale.

In the 53rd minute, Brest pulled one back via a header from Brendan Chardonnet .

Lyon had another chance to increase their lead but Depay could only hit the cross bar. Brest ensured a final nervy 15 minutes for Lyon when Irvan Cadona beat the offside trap to make it 3-2 in the 73rd minute.

Lyon held on to their win and moved top of Ligue 1 temporarily on goal difference. Given what happens in other fixtures, Lille and PSG could overtake Lyon by the end of the round.