Lyon up to fourth after goal-laden display at Auxerre

Olympique Lyonnais returned to Ligue 1 McDonald's action after their dramatic home draw (2-2) against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals during the week. Auxerre awaited at Stade Abbé Deschamps. Les Gones knew that a win would see them edge closer to realising their Champions League ambitions and rise up to fourth in the table.

OL thought they had the opener early on when Auxerre struggled to clear their lines, as Lacazette and Cherki attempted efforts on goal - but Tolisso would drill home into the back of the net, yet Stephanie Frappart whistled for an offside in the build up from the Lyon captain. Auxerre weren't to be messed with, as Les Diplomates dealt well with OL's possession game and created a big chance which ended with Onaiwu's strike from range which required a fine stop from Lucas Perri. Les Gones then pierced once more through the Auxerre backline, and this time Lacazette rounded Leon Donovan but his low strike bounced off the post and Jubal and was then cleared away by Sinaly Diomandé. Lacazette was then played once more on goal by Cherki, and Léon came out to face up to him with another superb save with his feet to deny the OL striker.

Cherki shows his class, Lacazette finishes the contest

The start of the second half would be tight between the two sides. Yet OL had the perfect opportunity to go ahead after Georges Mikautadze was brought down by Léon in the box. The Georgian stepped up to convert the spot kick down low to the right, with Léon getting a finger tip to the ball but the power was simply too much. (54')

Les Gones would then find a second after some impressive build-up play between Tolisso, Kumbedi, and Cherki - and the Frenchman picked out a lovely curled effort to double OL's lead in style (62'). L'AJA managed to see out a period of real dominance from OL and then halve the deficit in emphatic style when Lassine Sinayoko thrashed a strike into the back of the net from the middle of the box after the Olympien defence struggled to clear the ball (77'). Yet Les Gones would see off the revolt from the Burgundy side, as Georges Mikautadze provided a superb low cross for Alexandre Lacazette to poke home at the back post to restore OL's two-goal advantage (84')

After seeing out the remainder of injury time, Lyon sealed a vital three points which saw the race for Champions League football tighten even further, with OL moving up to fourth and just one point behind Olympique de Marseille. Despite the loss, Auxerre remained 10th in the league ahead of a trip to LOSC next weekend.

The player: rayan Cherki

Another simply outstanding performance from the Frenchman. Cherki was at the heart of OL in possession and was dangerous in feeding balls through to Lacazette and then Georges Mikautdaze in the build-up for the foul on the Georgian for the opening penalty. He helped out defensively when needed, and then finished with his curled strike on goal as the cherry on the cake of a great week for the OL man. He was everywhere for Les Gones, and deservedly won the MOTM award.

Match Reaction: Alexandre Lacazette

"I was angry with myself for missing a couple of chances in the first half. It would have made it more comfortable. I'm happy we've won the game, because we've had some set-backs recently. The coach really helped us by insisting to stay together on the pitch, and we're happy it's gone well tonight."

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