Depay halfway line stunner caps Lyon rout of Toulouse

Paris (AFP) – Memphis Depay scored from near the halfway line as Lyon rode their luck early before crushing Toulouse 4-0 on Sunday to remain in pole position for next season’s Europa League.

Toulouse struck the woodwork twice through Andy Delort and Corentin Jean in the first half before defender Christophe Jallet hammered Lyon into the lead on 36 minutes at Parc OL.

Maxwel Cornet added a second shortly after half-time with a thunderous effort from the edge of the area, while Depay ran onto an assist from Jallet to stretch the advantage on 53 minutes.

Depay then netted a stunning second late on as he received the ball just inside the Toulouse half before spinning away from a defender and launching the ball over goalkeeper Alban Lafont from inside the centre circle.

The Dutchman has now scored four times in his past three league outings, taking his goals tally to five following his arrival from Manchester United in January.

A fourth straight home win moved Lyon five points clear of Marseille with a game in hand in the race for an automatic Europa League qualification spot, while Toulouse saw their six-match unbeaten streak snapped. 

Earlier, Saint-Etienne skipper Loic Perrin headed a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Metz, although their European prospects are fading after a fourth game in a row without a win.

Paris Saint-Germain return to action for the first time since their stunning collapse against Barcelona in the Champions League last 16, with a trip to Ligue 1’s bottom side Lorient later on Sunday.

The reigning French champions trail leaders Monaco by six points after teen prodigy Kylian Mbappe scored his 10th league goal of the campaign in a 2-1 win over Bordeaux on Saturday to cement their place at the top.

Mbappe opened the scoring midway through the second half at the Stade Louis II and a beauty from Joao Moutinho doubled the principality side’s lead.

They held on to take all three points after a howler from goalkeeper Danijel Subasic allowed Diego Rolan in to reduce the arrears.

Nice lost ground on Friday despite coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Caen, Mario Balotelli and Anastasios Donis getting their goals.