After three consecutive successes in Ligue 1, Olympique Lyonnais lost again this Sunday on the Havre pitch (3-1), for the 18th day of Ligue 1. Lloris (18th) and Sabbi (50th ) had opened the scoring for the Normans, but Lacazette managed to reduce the score (54th), before Opérie sealed the Le Havre victory (62nd). With this tenth defeat of the season, OL – who finished the match with nine men after the expulsions of O’Brien (30th) and Caleta Car (89th) – became a barrier again (16th). Conversely, the HAC moved back to 11th place after its fifth victory of the season.
Between (a small) rise in the rankings, winter arrivals and the announcement of Pierre Sage’s contract extension, everything seemed to be going well at OL recently. But the truth of a day is not always that of the field, and the first half was responsible for reminding the Lyonnais of this. Not always technically fair, losing the duels, they could still have hoped to obtain a penalty when Opéri cleared the ball and Mata’s ankle at the same time (16th). But Mr. Angoula did not flinch.
In the process, Le Havre projected itself and put Lopes into action, through Kechta, whose long-range shot was deflected for a corner (17th). And it was on this set piece that the locals opened the scoring, with a header thanks to a goal from Gautier Lloris (18th). The start of the nightmare for the Lyonnais, who saw Jake O’Brien be excluded. First warned of a yellow for a sole in the central circle, the referee changed the color of the card after being called by the VAR (32nd). The Normans returned to the locker room logically leading the score, their opponents not having scored a single shot. The move to the locker room did not help Lyon’s affairs. From the fiftieth minute, Sabbi took advantage of an error from Kumbedi to steal the ball, hook Mata and crucify Lopes.
Pierre Sage’s men then briefly tried to inject some rhythm into the match. Finally showing themselves to be sharp, they even reduced the gap through Lacazette (52nd). The Lyon captain scored his eighth goal of the season, taking advantage of a good ball from Cherki. But the improvement stopped there for the Gones, who then fell back into their ways.
Opéri had never scored in Ligue 1. He erased this statistic on Sunday evening, and in what way! Served along the left side touchline, he hooked to get on his right foot at the entrance to the penalty area. His splendid flat foot strike lobbed Anthony Lopes, despite a nice dive for the photo. At the end of the match, the Gones drank the chalice to the dregs, finishing the match at nine, following the expulsion of Caleta-Car. New prestigious success for the Normans at home, while the Lyonnais will have to try to forget this match.
