Lyon beat Lille ahead of Europa League first leg

Paulo Fonseca’s side, who were beaten 4-2 by fellow top-four challengers Strasbourg last weekend, went behind 47 seconds into what was billed as another key clash in the race for Europe.

Lille travelled to the match at the Groupama Stadium - where we will play on Thursday night - two points ahead of Les Gones and Bafode Diakite’s early header threatened to stretch that advantage further.

Star attacker Rayan Cherki was named on the bench but had to be introduced in the seventh minute, after Ernest Nuamah suffered a knee injury.

Diakite flashed another header narrowly wide, before good work by former Arsenal pair Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette led to Thomas Meunier handling the ball in the box.

The referee consulted with the VAR and pointed to the spot, giving Lacazette the opportunity to coolly slot home an equaliser as he sent Lucas Chevalier the wrong way.

The contest remained level until the dangerous Cherki had his say 20 minutes from time, cushioning a loose ball on his thigh and finding the far corner before Chevalier could get down to make the save.

Lyon should have had a third late on, when Thiago Almada shot straight at Chevalier, but the hosts held on to move into the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot – although they did drop a position on Sunday, after Strasbourg won at Reims.

Our upcoming opponents have now lost just once at home in all competitions since October, with that defeat coming against newly confirmed champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Cherki’s fine season continues, with the 21-year-old now having registered nine goals and 18 assists across his 36 appearances this term.

He sent a message of support for Nuamah following the final whistle.

Lyon have confirmed that the Ghanaian ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and he joins Malick Fofana on the sidelines for Thursday’s tie.

"A big thought for Ernest," he said. "I know it's not easy to get injured, and come back to us quickly.

"A speedy recovery. We're waiting for you impatiently because we need you."