Moussa Dembele penalty gives Lyon huge derby win against rock-bottom Saint-Etienne in tense affair

Lyon leapfrog Nantes into tenth in Ligue 1 after producing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Saint-Etienne in Le Derby. Moussa Dembele’s first-half penalty proved the difference in a match that was bereft of quality. Ad/> For Lyon the result ends a seven-game winless streak in all competitions, while Saint-Etienne remain bottom of the Ligue 1 table and six points off safety after their seventh consecutive league defeat.

Ligue 1PSG salvage late draw against Lyon09/01/2022 AT 19:53 The first half took time to get going but Lyon did get the breakthrough in the 15th minute. Dembele was tripped up inside the box by Timothée Kolodziejczak and a spot-kick was rightly awarded. The former Celtic striker stepped up to take it and coolly slotted his low strike into the bottom corner.

Ligue 1 table Ligue 1 fixtures/results Ligue 1 top scorers Lyon almost extended their lead in the 38th minute through Houssem Aouar, but Paul Bernardoni did well to match his low driven strike from close range and parried away. Almost out of nowhere St Etienne nearly grabbed an equaliser three minutes later. Mahdi Camara was free inside the box and directed a header on goal from close range, but Anthony Lopes did well to get down low and bat it clear with an outstretched right arm.

Bernardoni was called into action ten minutes into the second half and kept out Aouar’s low driven strike with his feet before the Angers loanee pulled off another fine stop to deny substitute Tino Kadawere in the 73rd minute. Lyon’s in-demand midfielder Lucas Paqueta was guilty of missing a huge opportunity in the 79th minute, uncharacteristically firing a first-time effort over the bar from close range. More to follow...