This fixture pitted two sides who both have big ambitions this season against each other, and it was the hosts who were the first to register a shot on target, with Mike Penders needing to be alert to push Pavel Sulc’s effort to safety before Julio Enciso tested Dominik Greif at the other end.
Before kick-off, Strasbourg had a shot conversion rate of 18.5%, the highest in Ligue 1 this term, and with a striker in the form of Joaquin Panichelli, that should not be a surprise. In his 12th appearance of the campaign, the Argentinian netted his ninth goal by heading Guela Doue’s header into the corner shortly after the midway point of the half.
Les Gones, though, were not behind for long. Their equaliser was perhaps fortuitous given Malick Fofana’s cross deflected off Ismael Doukoure and past Penders for an own goal, but Tyler Morton’s defence-splitting pass in the build-up was worthy of a goal.
Lyon then had a chance to complete the turnaround when they were awarded a penalty following Valentin Barco’s foul on Corentin Tolisso, but Penders was equal to the latter’s attempt from 12 yards - justice, perhaps, given that Barco appeared to touch the ball when challenging the Lyon captain.
Goalmouth action was less frequent after the interval, with Diego Moreira’s shot from Panichelli’s knockdown that flew wide of the post the next real chance before the hour mark.
However, midway through the half, Lyon received a boost when Strasbourg were reduced to 10 men following Doukoure's reckless foul on Fofana - that did come at a cost for the hosts as the winger was forced off the pitch with an injury as a result.
Lyon’s first opening after that dismissal was a free Sulc header that lacked both power and placement.
Yet, despite their numerical advantage, Paulo Fonseca’s side were unable to exert any real pressure as the game approached its climax, and in the end, it was a moment of magic that snatched the three points, with substitute Moreira cutting inside and curling an effort into the top corner that sent the home crowd into raptures.
The triumph sees Lyon avoid a third straight loss and leapfrog Strasbourg into fourth, just two points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain at the summit, while Strasbourg drop down to seventh.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joaquin Panichelli (Strasbourg)
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