Depay grabs Lyon dramatic win over rivals Marseille

MEMPHIS DEPAY’S last-gasp winner clinched Lyon a thrilling 3-2 victory at Marseille yesterday that kept them firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

Kostas Mitroglou looked to have snatched Marseille a vital point with an 84th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2, but Depay showed great bravery to nod home in the final minute of normal time.

Bruno Genesio’s Lyon are now just two points adrift of their opponents in the race for the third and final Champions League spot, after following a six-game winless run with back-to-back victories.

Marseille had forged ahead in the 31st minute through Portuguese defender Rolando, but Lyon levelled as Adil Rami put through his own net before Houssem Aouar scored early in the second period.

Both sides clashed after the final whistle, with fights also breaking out in the tunnel as Marseille frustrations boiled over.

“Over the whole game, it was deserved, we had more chances and we controlled the game,” said Lyon coach Genesio.

“We’re back to two points and it’s very possible to catch them, but we need to repeat the performances we put in against the big teams against the so-called weaker teams.”

Earlier, Dani Alves snatched champions elect Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 victory at Nice in an early kickoff aimed specifically at the Asian television market.

PSG remain in total control of the title race, with reigning champions Monaco 17 points adrift in second place, with Marseille now seven points further behind.

Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes missed the chance to retake fifth spot from Rennes as they were held to a 1-1 draw at rock-bottom Metz, while Saint-Etienne moved into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win over Guingamp. – AFP