Nothing beats a managerial homecoming, and Pierre Sage’s return to Lyon had everything: an early goal, a late scare and a five-goal thriller that went the home side’s way. On Thursday, October 15, Lyon beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at the Groupama Stadium to stay perfect in the Europa League. Palace fought back twice but never quite levelled.
Tolisso Strikes Early
Sage spent 14 months in charge of Lyon before being sacked in January 2025, and he got a rude welcome. In the eighth minute Ernest Nuamah swung in a corner, Palace failed to clear, and Corentin Tolisso lashed the ball past Walter Benítez at the near post. It was a disastrous start for an Eagles side that had won 4-0 against Lech Poznań on matchday one. Ismaïla Sarr, the Conference League’s top scorer last season, made his first start of the campaign.
Nuamah Doubles It
Palace did not register a single shot on target in the first half, and Lyon made them pay just before the break. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, a swift attack ended with Keito Nakamura picking out Nuamah, who fired low past Benítez from the centre of the box. Two-nil at half-time, and Palace looked shell-shocked.
Pino Pulls One Back
Palace emerged transformed. In the 50th minute Adam Wharton threaded a pass to Yeremy Pino, who curled a precise shot into the near corner to make it 2-1. The visitors pressed hard, and Daichi Kamada appealed for a penalty after contact with Nuamah in the box. The referee waved play on and VAR saw no reason to intervene.
Šulc Restores the Lead
Lyon answered in the 76th minute. Nakamura’s shot took a deflection off Pavel Šulc, who bundled it in from close range to restore the two-goal cushion. It was Nakamura’s second assist of the night, even if this one was unintentional.
Kamada Makes It Tense
Palace refused to quit. In the 81st minute Kamada fired into the centre of the goal from the middle of the box to make it 3-2, and the closing minutes were frantic. But Lyon held on, and Palace went home with their first Europa League defeat.
The Numbers Behind the Thriller
The stats suggest Palace deserved better. Lyon edged the expected goals battle 1.71 to 1.58, with both sides recording four shots on target and four big chances. The difference was Lyon’s wingers: Nuamah was involved in the first goal and scored the second, while Nakamura provided two assists. For Lyon, it ended a four-game winless run against English clubs in the Europa League.
Lyon vs Crystal Palace: Key Facts
- Result: Lyon 3-2 Crystal Palace, October 15, 2026
- Venue: Groupama Stadium, Décines-Charpieu
- Lyon goals: Tolisso (8′), Nuamah (45’+2′), Šulc (76′)
- Palace goals: Pino (50′), Kamada (81′)
- Storyline: Pierre Sage against his former club
What Happens Next?
Lyon sit on six points from two games and are fourth in Ligue 1, while Palace will regroup on three points. Sage can take heart from beating his predecessor Oliver Glasner’s Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
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