PLAYER RATINGS | Angers 0-3 Lyon: Les Gones triumph and edge closer towards Champions League spots

After back-to-back victories against Nice and Qarabag, Lyon were looking to strengthen their bid to qualify for European football as they travelled to face newly-promoted Angers on Saturday evening. The hosts came into the match following a 1-0 victory against Le Havre. 

Malick Fofana almost opened the scoring for Lyon in the early minutes after Lacazette found the winger in space, only for his namesake in the Angers goal to deny him with a great save. Perri was then penalised for a backpass in bizarre circumstances, and an indirect free kick was awarded against Les Gones. 

After an opening 25 minutes where Lyon controlled possession, the visitors were finally rewarded following a Rayan Cherki corner. Nicolás Tagliafico connected with the Frenchman’s cross and, using his head, directed his effort into the ground and beyond Fofana.  

Lyon pressed for a second goal before half-time with Veretout going close on a couple of occasions but it was Angers who went the closest to scoring the second goal of the match. El Melali’s whistling free kick from 30 yards meant the hosts went closest to scoring before the break, but Perri was able to deal with the danger effectively by turning the shot onto the post. 

Angers looked the most likely to score next before the break, yet it was Lyon who came out in the second half with renewed purpose and intent. Their increased pressure was awarded with a second goal. Maitland-Niles managed to thread the ball through to Cherki who made no mistake with his effort from close range.

From the bench, Georges Mikautadze completed the job for his boyhood club with a third goal. The Georgian international did brilliantly after dribbling into the area, beating his man and firing a powerful effort into the top corner. With their victory, Lyon move into fifth, just one point off Marseille in the Champions League spots.    

Lyon player ratings: 

Lucas Perri: 5

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 6

Clinton Mata: 6

Duje Ćaleta-Car: 6

Nicolás Tagliafico: 7 – Surprisingly, the Argentine proved to be a menace aerially for Lyon with his goal. In addition to that, the World Cup winner was a threat from set pieces and provided a solid all-round performance as he completed his defensive duties in a more reserved manner allowing Maitland-Niles to push forwards on the opposite flank. 

Nemanja Matić: 6

Corentin Tolisso: 6

Jordan Veretout: 6

Rayan Cherki: 8 – With the ball at his feet, the France youth international continued to show off his impressive arsenal of skills and flicks but also produced in the final third when his team needed it. A creative and confident performance yielded a goal and an assist. His delivery from set pieces proved dangerous throughout the night. 

Alexandre Lacazette: 5

Malick Fofana: 6

Select Angers player ratings: 

Yahia Fofana: 6 – The Ivorian international stopper was kept busy throughout the match and managed to keep his side in with a shout. Facing no fewer than 8 shots on target, Fofana did all he could to deny the visitors. 

Bamba Dieng: 4

Farid El Melali: 6

GFFN | Liam Wraith