Lacazette scores four as ex-Arsenal striker makes statement to Mbappe

07 May 2023 , 19:10

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Alexandre Lacazette was the hero for Lyon with four goals against Montpellier on Sunday (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Alexandre Lacazette bagged an incredible four goals for Lyon against Montpellier to temporarily move ahead of Kylian Mbappe as the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 this campaign.

The former Arsenal striker grabbed a quartet of goals to help his side secure a dramatic victory in a nine-goal thriller, with his winning spot kick coming in the tenth minute of stoppage time at the end of the encounter.

Lyon had trailed 4-1 ten minutes after the half-time break yet mounted an astonishing comeback to score four unanswered goals and secure the points. Lacazette’s exploits ensured he moved up to 24 Ligue 1 goals for the campaign – temporarily taking him ahead of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe.

This is Lacazette’s first season back at Lyon having rejoined the club last summer following the expiration of his deal at the Emirates. He has enjoyed a rich vein of form this campaign, scoring an impressive 28 goals in 35 appearances.

Lacazette opened the scoring against Montpellier in the 31st minute but the visitors roared back with a stunning four goals from Sepe Elye Wahi. The 20-year-old scored all of his goals either side of the break in a 15-minute spell to leave the home side reeling.

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Yet Lacazette pulled a goal back before the hour mark while former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren reduced the arrears to a single goal with 20 minutes remaining. Lacazette levelled the score in the 82nd minute before his penalty in the tenth minute of injury time.

Lacazette has bagged 28 goals in all competitions for Lyon this season (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

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That was enough to secure a pulsating win for Lyon and take the 31-year-old top of the Ligue 1 goal scoring charts. However, that lasted just a few hours as Mbappe levelled up the tally at the top as he gave PSG the lead away to struggling Troyes in the evening kick-off.

Lacazette originally joined the Gunners from the French club for a reported £52.7m during Arsene Wenger ’s final summer transfer window in 2017. Lacazette made 206 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 71 goals and winning the FA Cup in 2020.

His exit came just months after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also left the north London club as a free agent, with Gabriel Jesus arriving to establish himself as the central starting striker with Eddie Nketiah as back-up.

Colin Millar