The Japan Times - Hakimi scores twice as PSG sink Lyon to stay unbeaten in Ligue 1

All the goals were scored in the second half in Lyon, with Hakimi opening the scoring on 53 minutes and Dembele doubling PSG's lead just before the hour mark.

Rayan Cherki pulled one back for the hosts late on to potentially set up a grandstand finish, only for Hakimi to find the net again. Corentin Tolisso then grabbed a second goal for Lyon in stoppage time.

PSG have won 18, drawn five and lost none of their 23 domestic league outings this season and are now a huge 13 points clear of nearest chasers Marseille at the top of the table.

They have not lost a single domestic game this season and have not been beaten at all by French opposition since a 3-1 defeat at home to Toulouse last May.

Luis Enrique's team next travel to Brittany to play fourth-tier Saint-Brieuc in the French Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, before hosting Lille in Ligue 1 next weekend.

That will be followed by the home leg of their Champions League last-16 showdown with English Premier League leaders Liverpool, scheduled for Wednesday, March 5.

Lyon, meanwhile, remain sixth but have now lost two of their four matches under new coach Paulo Fonseca.

This result, while not a surprise, is a blow to their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League as they now sit five points adrift of the top four.

PSG were fresh from hammering French rivals Brest 7-0 last midweek, a result which saw them win their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie 10-0 on aggregate.

After a goalless first half, they went ahead when Bradley Barcola's cutback came all the way to Hakimi and the Moroccan swept home his shot.

The visitors were well on their way to victory soon after that thanks to a magnificent solo effort from Dembele, who foraged a path into the area before firing high into the far corner.

The France forward is PSG's top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions this season, including 19 goals in 14 appearances since mid-December. He has 12 in his last eight Ligue 1 games.

Cherki, preferred to Alexandre Lacazette through the middle of Lyon's attack, reduced the arrears on 83 minutes after good work by Georges Mikautadze.

However, Hakimi made it 3-1, applying the finish to a fine move featuring a brilliant piece of skill by Goncalo Ramos and an assist from Lee Kang-in.

It is just the second time Hakimi has scored twice in the same game since signing for PSG in 2021.

Tolisso headed in to make it 3-2, but PSG held on as they stay on course to complete an unprecedented unbeaten season.

K.Inoue--JT