Two own goals hand Paris St Germain victory over plucky Lyon

Posted Monday, September 18, 2017 by PA

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain were rescued by two second-half own goals as they extended their 100 per cent start to the season with an unconvincing 2-0 victory over Lyon.

It looked like being a frustrating night for PSG and their expensively assembled frontline of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani until Lyon defender Marcelo inadvertently turned home a cross from substitute Giovani Lo Celso 15 minutes from time.

Uruguayan striker Cavani then had a penalty saved by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, before visiting defender Jeremy Morel put the result beyond doubt by diverting the ball into his own net in the 86th minute.

There were few chances of note at the Parc des Princes and the hosts could easily have fallen behind when Lyon rattled the crossbar through Tanguy Ndombele's second-half strike.

Despite the uninspiring display, victory for Unai Emery's team stretches their unbeaten home record to 38 games in all competitions to keep them top of the table, three points ahead of champions Monaco.

All of the talk before the game suggested it would be a straightforward night for the home side but they were perhaps lucky not to concede a sixth-minute penalty.

Midfielder Ndombele burst into PSG's 18-yard box on the right-hand side before his run appeared to be halted by a trip from Layvin Kurzawa.

Referee Ruddy Buquet waved away the appeals before the visitors threatened again moments later when a powerful low shot from former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay was denied by Alphonse Areola.

Lyon manager Bruno Genesio warned his side they could not travel to the capital with the mentality of victims and they more than held their own in an uneventful first half.

At the other end, 18-year-old Mbappe almost raced onto a through ball from Adrien Rabiot but alert Lyon keeper Lopes came off his line to quickly clear the danger.

Neymar - who earlier went for goal directly from a corner - came the closest to a first-half breakthrough when he cut in from the left and unleashed a stinging drive which was palmed away by Lopes.

The Portuguese keeper was theatrical in keeping out that attempt and he produced a similar save to again deny the Brazilian from a free-kick just before the hour mark.

PSG's performance was far from the free-flowing football expected and only the woodwork kept the scores level when a thunderous strike from Ndombele cannoned back off the bar in the 68th minute.

Defender Ferland Mendy then threatened with a header which was too close to PSG keeper Areola.

Fifth-placed Lyon had been dogged all evening but their resistance was finally broken in the 75th minute.

Uruguayan Lo Celso worked space on the left wing and his inviting centre was diverted into the bottom right corner by the outstretched leg of the unfortunate Marcelo.

The home side were presented with the perfect opportunity to wrap up the three points five minutes later but Cavani saw his spot-kick pushed onto the crossbar by Lopes following Mendy's foul on Mbappe.

Victory was assured with four minutes to play and again PSG needed a helping hand from the opposition.

Mbappe was put through by Neymar and, after Lopes superbly saved the initial effort, the ball rebounded off the legs of the luckless Morel and into the empty net.