Europa League: Lyon edge Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller

Olympique Lyon continued their positive run in the UEFA Europa League after defeating Premier League side Crystal Palace 3-2 in the Matchday Two clash at Groupama Stadium on Thursday evening.

Lyon, who had finished top of the league phase in the Europa League in 2025-26 before being ousted in the last 16, handed Palace their first-ever away defeat in the competition.

The hosts needed just eight minutes to take the lead.  Corentin Tolisso reacted quickest to bury the loose ball after Palace failed to cope with a corner from the right.

Lyon then doubled their lead in a quiet first half as Ernest Nuamah finished well from Keito Nakamura’s low cross.

Palace got a lifeline in the 50th minute when they reduced the deficit through a well-worked short corner, as Yeremy Pino instantly connected with Adam Wharton’s fine first-time pass to send the ball into the roof of the net.

Having recently come from behind to win Premier League matches against Fulham and Nottingham Forest this season, the visitors almost completed the comeback but failed to capitalize.

The hosts eventually restored their two-goal advantage with Pavel Sulc’s clever backheel flick.

Daichi Kamada again reduced the deficdeficit for the English club Palace with a six-yard finish, but the hosts held on for the win.

On his return to the club he managed of from November 2023 to January 20 ,  Eagles boss Pierre Sacouldn’t to leave with a point.

Palace earned an automatic ticket to the competition for the first time in their history after winning the third-tier Conference League last season.

They began their campaign in Europe’s second-tier competition with a 4-0 demolition of Polish side Lech Poznan. They now have three points after two of their eight league-phase matches.

Lyon made it two from two in the competition so far with the latest win, after opening with a 2-1 win in Belgium over Anderlecht.