PLAYER RATINGS | Lille 1-1 Lyon: Les Gones equalise late as spoils are shared | OneFootball

After two disappointing results, Lyon travelled to Lille in the hope of returning to winning ways. Les Dogues hosted Les Gones in magnificent form with the chance of moving into second after Monaco’s surprising defeat to Angers earlier on Friday evening.

In an almost basketball-like manner, the game started at a high temp with play flowing nicely end-to-end. OL had the first chance of the match through Tolisso. The midfielder’s header went narrowly past Chevalier’s near post after a teasing cross from Fofana.

Niakhaté almost gifted Lille an opener after a short pass to Perri was intercepted by David. The Canadian played the ball to Gomes in space and with the goal gaping he somehow put his effort wide. Meunier then missed another massive chance for Lille just three minutes later as he crashed his effort against the crossbar. After continuously shaky defence from the visitors, Les Dogues finally made Lyon pay. Maitland-Niles’s undercooked backpass was pounced on by David who made no mistake to give the hosts the lead.

Lille continued to dominate the opening half an hour following their opener. Gomes went close with a free kick but his effort was unable to find its way in between the posts – crashing onto the woodwork. The hosts deservedly led at the break.

The second half started as the first ended with Lille continuing to threaten. Meunier this time saw his effort whistle wide. Cherki went close to picking out Lacazette in the six-yard box for a tap-in but Diakité was there to cut out the pass. As Lyon grew in confidence, Cherki continued to be a threat as he did well to shape his shot. The attacking midfielder went agonisingly close to equalising but was denied by the crossbar.

Maitland-Niles thought he had made amends for his earlier mistake but VAR disallowed his goal due to a controversial offside. The former Arsenal defender finally had his say with a brilliant cross to the back post with Fofana waiting to fire home and equalise for OL.

Lille player ratings:

Lucas Chevalier: 6

Thomas Meunier: 7

Bafodé Diakité: 7

Aissa Mandi: 5

Gabriel Gudmundsson: 6

Benjamin André: 6

Ngal’ayel Mukau: 6

Edon Zhegrova: 6

Angel Gomes: 6 – The England international was largely involved and influential in the match, but on a going day could have been leaving the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with the match ball. In a more attacking role, Gomes showed his ability to be an attacking threat.

Osame Sahraoui: 6

Jonathan David: 7 – Leading the press, the Canadian international was a menace on the night. OL were forced into a catalogue of errors whilst in possession and David was largely responsible at the peak of that press. He made the hard work pay off with his well-taken opening goal.

Lyon player ratings:

Lucas Perri: 4

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 5 – Normally reliable for Les Gones, the English defender was at fault for Lille’s opener and struggled with Sahraoui down the left flank in the first half. However, after a much improved second half, the former Arsenal defender was largely responsible for turning the match around. His assist gave Lyon their equaliser.

Duje Ćaleta-Car: 4

Moussa Niakhaté: 3

Nicolás Tagliafico: 5

Nemanja Matić: 6

Jordan Veretout: 4

Corentin Tolisso: 5

Rayan Cherki: 6 – Creatively, Cherki looked like the only player who might make something happen for Lyon. In a first half where the hosts were the dominant side, the attacking midfielder was largely responsible for any forrays forward and was often forced to drop deep to progress play.

Alexandre Lacazette: 4

Malick Fofana: 6

GFFN | Liam Wraith