Carlos Tevez came off the bench to score a precious away goal three minutes from time as United earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Lyon.
Argentina striker scores late to cancel out Benzema strike
Carlos Tevez came off the bench to score a precious away goal three minutes from time as Manchester United earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Lyon in France.
France superstar Karim Benzema struck nine minutes into the second half to give the French league leaders the upper hand, but Tevez reacted quickest to fire the Reds back into pole position late on.
Benzema was a thorn in United's side all evening, but it was the visitors who created the more clear cut chances with Wayne Rooney thwarted by Gregory Coupet in the best chance of a frantic first half.
The introduction of Nani and Tevez sparked United into life in the second half, and the two combined with the help of a lucky bounce off Fred to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men a solid start as they eye a quarter final spot.
Ryan Giggs returned to the United side to make his 100th Champions League appearance - and was named captain after being rested for Saturday's FA Cup victory against Arsenal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes were also back in the starting line-up against a Lyon team who have won the French title six seasons in a row.
Rooney was employed as the solitary striker, with Tevez and Louis Saha making up the striking options on the bench.
Lively
Lyon carved out a half chance in the third minute when Fabio Grosso lifted a cross from the left - however, United central defender Rio Ferdinand stood tall and made a timely clearance.
Play immediately switched down the other end and Ronaldo, fit again after a stomach virus, tried his luck from the edge of the area.
He was out of luck, although Swedish international Kim Kallstrom midfielder was happy to concede a corner.
Lyon were looking lively and Brazilian playmaker Juninho swung in his first testing free-kick of the evening after 18 minutes, only for Ferdinand to head clear ahead of the advancing Sebastien Squillaci
Juninho then tried an ambitious free-kick from distance two minutes later - but Edwin Van der Sar was able to make a comfortable save.
There was a scare for United in the 24th minute when Ferdinand sliced a cross from Jeremy Toulalan but the ball went wide of the post with Van der Sar stranded.
Rooney, however, almost made the breakthrough a minute later after being released by Giggs, but Coupet in the Lyon goal rushed out and made a superb parry.
Frustration
The French outfit broke back immediately, and the highly-rated Benzema suddenly sprung into action in the 26th minute, cleverly making space for himself in the area but watched in frustration as the shot went over the bar.
United were playing at their own pace at the Stade Gerland, but a minute later Giggs picked out Scholes - although the midfielder's effort was superbly blocked by Jean Alain Boumsong.
There was not much tempo to United's game, and they seemed to be playing well within themselves.
They were content to hit Lyon on the counter-attack, with Rooney putting in a hard shift up front on his own.
As the half was coming to an end, United carved out a couple of half-chances.
Ronaldo saw his free-kick from distance punched away by Coupet before United won a corner on the right.
Giggs swung the ball in, but Ronaldo failed to test the goalkeeper and headed over the bar from six yards.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to keep things as they were at the start of the second half.
Breakthrough
However, it was Lyon who made the breakthrough in the 54th minute with a marvellous piece of skill from Benzema.
The 20-year-old striker had his back to goal when Toulalan played the ball through - and there seemed little on.
But Benzema turned quickly and got between Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic before steering a shot into the corner off a post, giving Van der Sar no chance.
It was Benzema's fourth goal in six Champions League appearances, and was a sweet moment for the talented youngster.
Benzema has recently stated that he would love to join United - and after that strike it will be music to Reds fans ears.
United were stung, and Ronaldo tried to pick out Rooney with a cross in the 61st minute - but Lyon goalkeeper Coupet stayed alert and made a timely interception.
Ferguson brought on Nani and Tevez four minutes later with Giggs - who had made little impact - and Scholes making way.
United found themselves on the back foot again in the 66th minute when Francois Clerc cut into the area - but Van der Sar got down quickly to make the save.
Juninho cracked a free-kick wide but with Nani and Tevez on board United had more attacking options.
Lyon received a let-off when Rooney's goal was ruled out for offside on 70 minutes after he tapped home Tevez's goal bound header.
However, United weren't to be denied and snatched a deserved late draw after more impressive work from Nani.
The tricky Portuguese winger delivered a teasing cross which bounced off Fred directly into the patch of Tevez who made no mistake from close-range.
| Lyon |
Team Statistics |
Manchester United |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
10 |
| 4 |
Corners |
9 |
| 16 |
Fouls |
14 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 77.4 |
Passing Success |
80.9 |
| 25 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 84 |
Tackles Success |
72.7 |
| 40.7 |
Possession |
59.3 |
| 49.4 |
Territorial Advantage |
50.6 |
|
