(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights FC METZ - LYON

Two sides who have traded places over the last couple of months met in the first game of Matchday 23. After 14 games, Messe were 11th and Lyon were rock-bottom. After 22 games, OL had climbed up to 11th, whilst Ligrena had dropped to not quite rock-bottom at 17th, just one point above Clermont. In a stunning run of form in February, it was seen Lyon climbed the table to a record-breakingly bad start to the season. PSSage began to steady the ship either side of the winter break. Four wins from four this month, including the Coutinho's triumph, shows the extent of the turnaround under the former youth coach. Messe, meanwhile, had lost nine of their previous ten, but nonetheless they produced an early shock by taking the lead, courtesy of Georges Mikhail Dadza. Forward taking matters into his own hands, knocking the ball one side of Jake O'Brien and sprinting round the other for a lovely chip over the onrushing Anthony Lopez to finish in the 13th minute. Coutinho's first goal since rejoining on loan from Ajax in January, his third of the season, and he scored a couple before leaving in the summer. Visitors responded well to the wake-up call, and soon enough had Alexandre Okija earning his paycheck, eventually picking the ball out of the net. After a number of saves, they would level things up. Alexandre Lacazette's strike on the stroke of half-time to two goals this season. No such trouble for Lacazette himself, 12 now, and he is second on the scoring charts. That would be that for the half, not even time to take the kick-off after the goal. Keen to help his side push on after equalising just before the break. Here, Sarge produced a January signing side, Ben Arama. Some drama in the signing from West Ham. The Algerian quickly showed that the stress was worthwhile. In the hour mark, Maxence Kakaray, and the shot saved, then unselfishly picking up Ben Arama, who completed the turnaround. Third appearance for Ben Arama. He scored 14 in his last two seasons for West Ham, now off the mark at his new club. He scored five Ligue 1 Uber Eats goals with three different clubs now, Nice, Angers and Lyon. The second half ticked on. Messe looked more and more like the side with the worst home record in France's top flight. In the end, it was comfortable for Lyon, who saw up the remainder of the game to earn their 10th win in 12 games. Further cemented their spot in mid-table. Messe, meanwhile, further cemented their spot in the relegation zone.