Kylian Mbappe scores 2 goals as PSG rout Lyon 4-1 in French league

Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe scores their fourth goal during the French league match against Lyon at Groupama Stadium on Sunday. (Reuters)
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Updated 04 September 2023
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Kylian Mbappe scores 2 goals as PSG rout Lyon 4-1 in French league

  • Mbappe has looked sharp since returning to the side following a transfer standoff
  • PSG remained unbeaten after four games and moved above bitter rivals Marseille on goal difference into second place behind leader Monaco

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe’s two goals put him top of the French league’s scoring charts as Paris Saint-Germain won 4-1 at struggling Lyon on Sunday for their biggest success of the season under new coach Luis Enrique.

The glossy-looking result should not disguise the poor quality of defending champion PSG’s opponent. PSG’s first goal was a carelessly conceded penalty, two were counterattacks and the other was a goalmouth scramble.

All of PSG’s goals came in the first half against a dismal Lyon side. Captain Corentin Tolisso had complained about his team’s performance last weekend, but failed to control a pass from his own goalkeeper and then clumsily hacked down PSG’s Manuel Ugarte for a clear penalty. Mbappe struck it cleanly down the middle past Portugal goalkeeper Anthony Lopes in the fourth minute, even though Lopes got a leg to it.

After right back Achraf Hakimi bundled in a cross that Lyon’s defense failed to deal with in the 20th, attacking midfielder Marco Asensio and Mbappé finished clinically from fast breaks.

Mbappe has looked sharp since returning to the side following a transfer standoff. The France star’s five goals puts him one ahead of Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder, a consistent rival for the top scorer award in recent seasons, and Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed.

PSG remained unbeaten after four games and moved above bitter rivals Marseille on goal difference into second place behind leader Monaco, which has 10 points and a healthy 13 goals.

Despite PSG’s threat going forward, their goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had already made four good saves by the time Tolisso’s penalty reduced the arrears to 4-1 in the 74th, and new signing Ousmane Dembélé squandered numerous chances for PSG with erratic shooting.

Winger Bradley Barcola got a hostile reception from home fans when he came on later in the second half, after joining PSG from Lyon near the end of the transfer window.

Seven-time champions Lyon were once a serious rival for PSG but are in crisis and in last place with only one point. Fans displayed a derogatory banner telling coach Laurent Blanc — formerly in charge of France and PSG — to fight harder or resign.

Elsewhere, an early free kick from midfielder Yusuf Yazici was enough to give sixth-place Lille a 1-0 home win against Montpellier.

The Turkiye midfielder struck a hard left-foot shot into the bottom corner after only two minutes for his first goal of the season.

Southern club Nice got its first win when they beat Strasbourg 2-0 at home. Right back Youcef Atal controlled a high pass before hitting a fine curling shot in first-half stoppage time, and striker Terem Moffi dinked the ball over goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 75th.

In other matches, Toulouse conceded a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time in a 2-2 home draw with Clermont, who equalized through central defender Florent Ogier.

Promoted Le Havre secured its first win of the campaign after beating Lorient 3-0 and Metz, which also went up last season, was held 2-2 by visiting Reims.


Man City close to Guehi signing: Palace boss Glasner

Updated 16 January 2026
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Man City close to Guehi signing: Palace boss Glasner

  • City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth $27m after suffering an acute injury crisis at center-half
  • “Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said

LONDON: Manchester City are in the “final stages” of completing a deal for England defender Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Friday.
City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth £20 million ($27 million) after suffering an acute injury crisis at center-half.
Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, would become City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth last week for about £65 million.
The 25-year-old captained Palace to FA Cup success in May against City — the first major trophy in the south London club’s history — and has won 26 England caps.
Other clubs reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi was due to be a free agent.
“Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said on the eve of Palace’s Premier League match at Sunderland.
“We can’t confirm, but it is not done. The result is Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.”
The Palace boss added: “When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now.
“Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. Marc showed it in the summer transfer window, showed it the whole autumn that he was 100 percent committed to the team and to Crystal Palace.
“I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy.”
City manager Pep Guardiola stressed he had “nothing to say” about the potential transfer at his own press conference ahead of his side’s match at Manchester United.
The club are currently without senior center-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while Nathan Ake has struggled to play more than once a week due to fitness issues.
Guardiola, whose team are second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal, said the club were “in a difficult situation for not one game but a long, long period,” adding: “Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no. John, hopefully we’ll see.”
City are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Glasner also said Friday he would leave Palace when his own contract expired at the end of the season.