Depay stars with hat-trick as Lyon roars
Memphis Depay scored a hat-trick including two penalties as Champions League semi-finalist Lyon began the new French season with a 4-1 victory over Dijon.
Dutch forward Depay bagged his first Ligue 1 goals since December, having missed the coronavirus-shortened second half of last season after rupturing knee ligaments.
Lyon, which finished seventh last season, was without midfielder Houssem Aouar for its opening game of the new campaign after he tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day, and the home side fell behind to a first Dijon goal for Aurelien Scheidler.
Depay, the Lyon captain, equalised from the penalty spot after Ahmad Ngouyamsa barged Maxwel Cornet over as Rudi Garcia's side turned the game in iuts favour with three goals in the space of six minutes just before half-time at the Groupama Stadium.
The former Manchester United winger spun past his defender on the corner of the box and fizzed in a dangerous low cross that caused Dijon's Wesley Lautoa to poke into his own net and give Lyon the lead.
Seconds after the subsequent restart Depay struck again, Karl Toko Ekambi's deflected ball finding its way to the Dutchman who displayed great poise and skill to volley beyond Alfred Gomis from six yards.
Senegal goalkeeper Gomis produced a magnificent save to deny Depay his hat-trick on the hour as Lyon continued to attack freely.
England youth international Jonathan Panzo, who won the Under-17 World Cup alongside Phil Foden in 2017, came on for his Dijon debut in the second half two days after his arrival on a three-year deal from Monaco.
The Chelsea academy graduate promptly conceded another penalty after a VAR review as he was adjudged to have clipped the heels of Leo Dubois.
Depay again converted by blasting home via the underside of the crossbar to seal his hat-trick as Lyon made a convincing beginning to its first season without European football since 1996-1997.
Nine games are scheduled across the top flight in France this weekend, with Marseille due to visit Brest on Monday (AEST) despite another three reported coronavirus cases at the club.
Marseille's planned opener against Saint-Etienne last Saturday was postponed after five players tested positive for Covid-19.
Title holder Paris Saint-Germain's scheduled game at Lens on Sunday (AEST) has been pushed back to 10 September after their run to the final of the Champions League in Lisbon.
