PSG 2-0 Lyon: Paris beat Lyon on tense Monday night to climb at the top of Ligue 1

PSG beat Lyon tonight in Ligue 1, marking an important win for the Champions against potential title rivals who had been keeping up to pace with PSG so far this season. Lyon's fine start under the tutelage of Paulo Fonseca had been a cause of concern for the French Champions, but PSG outclassed their title rivals in what was a fairly comfortable home win. All of this took place on the same night that PSG were awarded the 'Club of the Year' award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, which has now happened two years in a row.

PSG at the top of the league with Lyon win

In what for a long time seemed might like it might be a frustrating night for the Parisians, it was two substitutes who made the difference for Luis Enrique's side, with both of Senny Mayulu and Mika Godts scoring their first goals of the season after having come off of the PSG bench.

PSG had been the better side before the two goals, although Lyon had managed to create a few counterattacking chances on the break, specifically in the first half. The two aforementioned substitutes combined in the 70th minute, though, to finally make the breakthrough for the hosts, as Godts slipped in Mayulu who dutifully slotted the ball into the back of the net. It was the youngster's first goal of the season for the Parisians, and adds to his overall PSG tally, after six goals scored last season in all competitions.

PSG then went on to score a second 14 minutes later when Godts picked up from Quentin Ndjantou (who had only been on the field for four minutes at that point) before finishing sublimely. The Belgian arrived at PSG with a big reputation after a stellar breakout season for Ajax, and has looked threatening in his few appearances for PSG so far this season. Indeed, due to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's season threatening injury and Bradley Barcola's departure, the left wing position at PSG suddenly looks a whole lot more accessible for a young winger, and if Godts continues to impress as he did during his cameo today, he will be favourite to claim that spot.

This win allows Luis Enrique's men to rise further up in the Ligue 1 table after a fifth successive league win after a tricky start to the season in their domestic league. They now sit alone at the top of the table after the eighth matchday of the season, on seventeen points, ahead of Rennes, who are one point behind in second place. And although Enrique will be frustrated that PSG didn't manage to break down Lyon sooner, he will be impressed with their resilience, both defensively against a sharp Lyon attack and in their continued attacking pressure, particularly through their substitutes. Their five league wins have come in combination with three in the Champions League, meaning PSG are on an eight game winning run, which includes games against some of Europe's finest teams, including Manchester City and Barcelona, both of whom were dispatached 4-2 by the European Champions.

PSG travel to Le Havre on Friday night in what will be their next test this season, before then travelling once more, this time to Spain, in the Champions League in the following midweek European fixture. With all due respect to these teams, they do seem to be fairly easy fixtures compared to recent fixtures for PSG both on European fronts (City and Barca) and domestically (Lyon). As for Lyon, they remain on 14 points in the league, but have now dropped to fifth place.

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