Five-star Montpellier stun Lyon

Montpellier put an end to a run of five consecutive draws in stunning fashion with a record-breaking 5-1 win over 10-man Lyon.

Montpellier put an end to a run of five consecutive draws in stunning fashion with a record-breaking 5-1 win over 10-man Lyon at the Stade de la Mosson. Braces from Victor Hugo Montano and Remy Cabella and an Anthony Mounier strike secured an emphatic win for the hosts, only their second league victory of the season. Alexandre Lacazette's early second-half strike, which made it 2-1, was scant consolation for Lyon, who suffered their heaviest ever defeat in Montpellier. The visitors had to play out the final minutes with 10 men after Maxime Gonalons was shown his second yellow card. Despite the one-sided scoreline it was Les Gones who started the strongest and the visitors wasted a great opportunity after just five minutes when Geoffrey Jourdren made a mess of a Clement Grenier free-kick, but Bafetimbi Gomis fired wide from the rebound. That effort proved to be a false dawn, however, and the hosts stamped their authority on the game with 15 minutes played. Benjamin Stambouli and Cabella linked up well before teeing up Montano, who saw his first effort on the turn saved but made no mistake when given a second opportunity. Lyon continued to threaten with Arnold Mvuemba and Jimmy Briand both going close, but Montpellier were proving to be the more clinical in front of goal and doubled their lead shortly before the break. The impressive Cabella was involved once again and this time he picked out an unmarked Mounier from a corner and the former Bordeaux man confidently headed beyond Anthony Lopes to give his side a two-goal lead at the interval. The break did nothing to change the open nature of the first half and Lyon were handed a lifeline just five minutes after the restart when Geoffrey Jourdren inexplicably allowed Lacazette's straightforward-looking effort from 25 yards through his legs to give Remi Garde's men hope. However Montpellier's two-goal lead was restored just 10 minutes later when Montano was brought down inside the area by Anthony Lopes and referee Stephane Lannoy had no option but to point at the spot. Cabella duly took the opportunity to grab his first of the game. The hosts continued to press and two more goals came in quick succession with more than 20 minutes still to play. Firstly, Cabella raced free of the Lyon defence and slotted the ball beyond Lopes before he turned provider to pick out Montano with a cross and the Colombian added his second of the game with a confident header. Matters got even worse for Les Gones with little under 10 minutes left to play when Gonalons picked up his second booking for a tackle from behind on Sylvain Marveaux, but the damage was already done.