Paris (AFP) – Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat-trick on the opening weekend of the French season as last year’s Ligue 1 runners-up won 3-0 away to promoted Nancy on Sunday.

Lacazette, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League as well as Paris Saint-Germain this summer, fired Lyon ahead on 33 minutes at the Stade Marcel Picot before adding a second just before half-time.

The 25-year-old then completed his treble in stoppage time as Lyon made a promising start in their quest to end PSG’s four-year reign at the top in France. 

Bruno Genesio stuck with the same team thrashed 4-1 by PSG in last weekend’s Champions Trophy, with Lyon faring considerably better against a Nancy side playing their first top-flight game since 2012-13.

After a difficult start to the previous campaign, in which he scored just once in the first eight matches, Lacazette was up and running on the half hour as he drilled in the rebound after Sergi Darder was foiled by Nancy goalkeeper Guy Ndy Assembe.

Lacazette then struck again on 44 minutes after Vincent Muratori misjudged Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes’ long clearance, leaving the OL striker clean through to apply another clinical finish.

Substitute Jordan Ferri set up Lacazette for his third late on, the latter slotting home from close range to cap an impressive start to the season.

Nice host Rennes later on with a tribute planned to honour the 85 victims of the July 14th terror attacks, while Marseille are at home to Toulouse in Sunday’s evening game.

On Friday champions PSG began their quest for a fifth consecutive title by winning 1-0 at Bastia, Layvin Kurzawa scoring the only goal in Corsica.

Monaco warmed up for their trip to Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League play-off next midweek by coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Guingamp, Bernardo Silva grabbing the late equaliser.