Lyon rue missed chances as Cocu strike gives PSV edge
Lyon 1 - PSV Eindhoven 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A late equaliser from Phillip Cocu gave PSV Eindhoven the edge in this Champions' League quarter-final, first leg as the Dutch league leaders secured a valuable draw in France.
A late equaliser from Phillip Cocu gave PSV Eindhoven the edge in this Champions' League quarter-final, first leg as the Dutch league leaders secured a valuable draw in France.
Cocu surged forward in the 79th minute and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area to score a potentially crucial away goal with one of the visitors' only real chances of the game. Florent Malouda had earlier put Lyon in front in the 12th minute, before Michael Essien and Sidney Govou missed gilt-edged chances to extend the French champions' lead.
Juninho had the first shot on goal on eight minutes, firing an audacious free-kick narrowly over the bar from almost 40 yards. But the home fans were soon celebrating as the competition's top scorers broke the deadlock after 12 minutes. Mahamadou Diarra's crossfield pass picked out Govou on the right, who jinked past Lee Young-Pyo and found Sylvain Wiltord inside the penalty area. Wiltord took his time before poking a pass to Malouda, who side-footed past Heurelho Gomes.
The French champions were full of confidence and PSV struggled to cope with their free-flowing counter-attacks as Essien twice went close twice in quick succession, first heading Wiltord's cross straight at Gomes before the PSV goalkeeper touched the midfield player's fizzing shot on to the outside of the post.
Lyon struggled to find the same fluency at the start of the second period but still controlled possession, largely thanks to the strong running of Essien.
The PSV coach, Guus Hiddink, replaced Farfan with DaMarcus Beasley on 71 minutes, and the visitors immediately looked more dangerous. Cocu dragged a long-range shot wide, before moments later, the former Dutch international latched on to a return pass from Park Ji-Sung and steered a left-footed shot past Grégory Coupet to set up an intriguing return next Wednesday.
Lyon: Coupet; Reveillere, Cris, Cacapa, Abidal; Essien, Diarra, Juninho, Malouda; Wiltord, Govou.
PSV Eindhoven: Gomes; Ooijet, Alex, Bouma, Lee; Van Bommel, Cocu, Vogel; Park, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Farfan.
Referee: P Collina (Italy).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments