Captain Alexandre Lacazette was the great architect of Lyon's victory.

Passer on the goal of Houssem Aouar (33rd), the former Arsenal striker offered victory at the last minute of the match to his team, joined on a goal by striker Elye Wahi (70th).

Double hit.

OL obtained their first victory since September 3 against Angers (5-0) and finally proved effective away from home to pick up three points for the first time this season.

Beyond its provisional rebound in 8th place, Laurent Blanc's team is finally advancing, but will have to wait for its meeting against Lille next Sunday to gauge a possible new start.

Lyon deserved their victory in view of the chances, but lacked control after the opener.

Less than a week after his induction on the bench in place of Olivier Dall'Oglio, Romain Pitau, a novice on a Ligue 1 bench, will have to wait to feel the first effects of his changes.

Despite a new state of mind, stamped "La Paillade", Montpellier (11th) chained a fourth defeat in a row before going next Sunday to Rennes.

Lyon coach Laurent Blanc during the match in Montpellier, October 22, 2022 Sylvain THOMAS AFP

A week after the defeat in Rennes (3-2), the new Lyon coach did not touch his tactical organization (5-3-2), nor gave up possession of the ball and control of the midfield, scored by the return of Thiago Mendes in place of Corentin Tolisso, injured.

Influential Aouar

Throughout the first period, Lyon made their mark on the game thanks to their very complementary attacking duo Dembélé-Lacazette, the rises of Malo Gusto in the right lane and the influence of a midfielder led by Houssem Aouar.

Taken out of the closet by Laurent Blanc, the young international opened the mark following a perfect service from Lacazette (33rd).

Lyonnais Houssem Aouar (d) opens the scoring on the field of Montpellier, October 22, 2022 Sylvain THOMAS AFP

The Lyon captain had failed shortly before on a volley (8th), and on a close shot (25th).

He had come up against Swiss goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, still perfect ahead of Aouar (39th), before his left ankle injury and his replacement by Bingourou Kamara (43rd).

Totally dominated, paralyzed by the challenge and unable to find its attackers, Montpellier did not exist until the break except on a strike from Maouassa (45th).

And in the 70th minute, Montpellier, finally released, equalized following a return from center-forward Elye Wahi, author of his sixth goal of the season.

In an uncertain end to the match marked by the expulsions of Montpellier's Stephy Mavididi and Lyonnais Sinaly Diomandé (75th), Karl Toko Ekambi and Jeff Reine-Adelaïde, who entered during the game, had a good chance before Lacazette, offset by Caqueret, does not offer victory to Lyon with an overpowered strike from the left (90th), for a logical victory.

© 2022 AFP