Montpellier (AFP)

Elan Coupe: Lyon, impressive winner in the first two days (9 goals scored, none cashed), fell for the first time of the season on Tuesday in Montpellier (1-0), in staggered match of the third day, leaving Rennes alone at the top of Ligue 1.

OL were surprised at the end of the first period (42) by a splendid goal from right-back Arnaud Souquet shortly after a penalty missed by teammate Andy Delort (37). Lyonnais were reduced to ten at the resumption (52) following the exclusion of defender Youssouf Koné, author of a gesture of mood on Delort.

After a great start, Lyon stalls and is second at Paris SG, waiting for Lille-Saint-Etienne (19h) and Nice-Marseille (21h) Wednesday, the last two staggered meetings of the day because of the G7 held in Paris. Biarritz.

The Brazilian Lyon of Sylvinho and Juninho, coach and sports director inducted at the dawn of the season, has never shown the same efficiency as in his two previous matches, while mastering Monaco (3-0) and sparkling against Angers (6-0).

With less than a month of a first shock against PSG, in his den of Groupama Stadium, Lyon is suddenly less scary to everyone. Especially since he had lost more at La Mosson (4 wins, 3 draws) since the debacle (5-1) experienced on October 6, 2013.

The Lyonnais have lacked character, and perhaps energy after the exclusion of Koné, to return to the score. He did not create any occasion in the last half hour.

On the contrary, Montpellier takes off finally thanks to this serious and convincing victory, after a start of shy championship where the "Pailladins" were defeated by Rennes (1-0) and hooked in Bordeaux (1-1). The team of Michel Der Zakarian, still deprived of his rookie Tueji Savanier, injured his right knee, and gives hope to confirm the 6th place ripped last year at the boundaries of Europe.

- Souquet hit -

In front of a team from Lyon returned to the ordinary, Montpellier slammed an extraordinary goal just before the break to lead logically. Following a corner kicked off the line by side Koné, defender Souquet, who arrived in the offseason of La Gantoise, surprised a half volley of twenty meters Anthony Lopes, frozen on his line and deceived to the first time of the season.

Five minutes earlier (37), striker Andy Delort had ruined a first opportunity. The Algerian international had sent on the base of the post a penalty obtained following a foul committed by Andersen Gaëtan Laborde. A second failure for Delort, who had already missed in the exercise against Rennes (1st day).

Deprived of space, and confronted with the vigilant defensive withdrawal of the Montpellier, Lyon showed nothing throughout the first period. With no impact in the midfield, he was content with far shots from Aouar (31 and 44). Only Memphis Depay has ripped a recovery on a service Bertrand Traore (20).

Master of the game later, OL finally worried the new Argentinian goalkeeper of Montpellier, Geronimo Rulli, by Depay (48th and 53rd) then a head of the captain Jason Denayer who touched the post (61).

Meanwhile (52), Sylvinho's team had been reduced to ten after Kone's exclusion, guilty of a naive reaction to a clash with Delort.

If the Brazilian coach has replaced Tousart by Tete and Traore Cornet, then finished with Martin Terrier fourth striker, Lyon has never managed to accelerate or hurry to disturb the strength of defense Montpellier. As if resigned to this first failure.

© 2019 AFP