pete 2,494 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Rangers rampant in Lyon's lair Tuesday 2 October 2007 Daniel Cousin is mobbed after scoring Rangers' second goalDaniel Cousin is mobbed after scoring Rangers' second goal (Ã?©Getty Images)Photos/WallpapersPhotos/Wallpapers Ã?» Rangers FC sprang a major surprise with a stunning success at Olympique Lyonnais which ended a run of nine UEFA Champions League away games without a victory and ensured they kept pace with FC Barcelona at the top of Group E. Stunning success The Glasgow club showed skill and endeavour to overcome Lyon, who have now failed to win in six European matches. Alain Perrin's men had slumped to their heaviest UEFA Champions League defeat in Barcelona two weeks before but few imagined a repeat of that 3-0 scoreline, even when Lee McCulloch opened the scoring midway through the first period. However, two goals in the space of five second-half minutes from DaMarcus Beasley and Daniel Cousin secured a memorable result for Rangers, whose last away triumph in the competition had come in 2000. Attacking intent With Lyon unable to score in their last three UEFA Champions League outings, coach Perrin made his intentions clear by packing the side with attacking talent ââ?¬â?? Juninho Pernambucano and Mathieu Bodmer playing advanced roles behind a trident of Sidney Govou, Karim Benzema and Milan BaroÃ?¡. The hosts pressed forward with urgency from the start but Rangers, defending with fierce determination, snuffed out the danger. Juninho and BaroÃ?¡ both had efforts blocked and when Carlos CuÃ?©llar deflected Benzema's shot goalwards, Allan McGregor made a comfortable save. McCulloch breakthrough Having calmed the early storm, Walter Smith's team began to show more ambition, lone striker Cousin turning SÃ?©bastien Squillaci only to be denied by Anderson's lunging challenge. That hint of an opening prompted a volley of noise from the away fans and moments later they were celebrating the tie's first goal. Nobody picked up McCulloch's run to the near post and the midfielder, making his competition debut, rose to head in Beasley's right-wing corner on 23 minutes. Juninho danger The French champions sought an instant response but their approach play was often hurried and their finishing wayward. BaroÃ?¡, Bodmer and Kim KÃ?¤llstrÃ?¶m all fired over before Juninho tested McGregor with a swerving free-kick. The captain's set-piece skills were proving Lyon's most dangerous weapon and Rangers had another escape on the stroke of half-time when the Brazilian's dipping attempt from 20 metres crashed back off the crossbar. Decisive spell Juninho tried hard to rally his off-colour side, shooting narrowly wide two minutes into the second period, yet Rangers looked sharper and took the match away from Lyon with two quick goals. Cousin struck first on 48 minutes, controlling Alan Hutton's right-wing cross and turning sharply to rifle an unstoppable shot past RÃ?©my Vercoutre from close range. The tall Gabon forward then turned provider, sweeping a precise crossfield pass over Squillaci's head for Beasley to bring the ball down and slot past an exposed Vercoutre. Luckless Lyon Drained of confidence, Lyon never looked likely to mount a comeback and when Juninho rattled the woodwork for a second time, the game seemed to be up. There was still time for McGregor to deny Hatem Ben Arfa, before Anderson nodded the resulting corner against the crossbar as luck deserted Lyon. Ã?©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,136 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 German champions beaten. French champions beaten. Surely we can beat the Spanish runners up easily enough...? What a fantastic result and performance last night. 3 superb goals and no-one can say our win wasn't deserved. Other than the first 5 minutes were we looked a little nervy, we coped extremely well with everything the French through at us. Indeed, it's a huge compliment to our defence that all of Lyon's half-chances came from 25 yard shots. In midfield, despite an off-form Ferguson, we worked incredibly hard and the spoliing tactic of Hemdani once again worked a treat. Special praise for Kevin Thomson though as I thought he was quite simply outstanding. Beasley and McCulloch also worked the flanks and the wee American was particularly good. Up front, Cousin showed that he is a fine, fine player. Supply him with the right kind of ball (ie to his feet) and like JCD, he'll hold onto it, link with others and score goals. Delighted for him! All in all, one of the best European nights ever for Rangers fans and I hope we can now build on it in the SPL and make a strong challenge on both fronts. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Anyone got the goals for me??? Also, surely Hemdani, Cousin and Darcheville are starters from now on when available. Every side needs a solid spine and we will have that with Cuellar / Weir, Hemdani / Ferguson and Cousin / Darcheville 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,136 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCVigQBfoGc 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Cheers Frankie Goals 2 and 3 were great. Cousin's (or should I say Mols) goal was superb, the turn was class - Boyd thats how to trap a ball!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,386 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I wonder what will happen to Juninio(sp) regarding his dive and the yellow card that Weir got ? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlock 0 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I wonder what will happen to Juninio(sp) regarding his dive and the yellow card that Weir got ? Amid all my jumping up and down at the dive I totally forgot about Weir getting booked. I hope Juninho gets a bollocking for it. I used to admire the guy, now I think he's a cheating has-been !! ps. On a club level and on international level, is it possible to play the French every week...........EASY EASY EASY !! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete 2,494 Posted October 3, 2007 Author Share Posted October 3, 2007 The French manager said his team hit the woodwork 3 times they were unlucky. No they were not unlucky their shots were in fact off target. Over the last few weeks i have heard"the bar or post saved them" No wrong! Bars and posts don't save teams they in fact get struck when a shot is off target. Yes it looks and sounds impressive crashing against the bar but unless it enters the goal the ball is off target and does not count. Rant over 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,195 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Weir's yellow should be rescinded and Juninho should get a 2 match ban..... consistency surely - his dive was every bit as bad as Mikoliunas ! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,386 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I would like to watch the game again,but I don't think my big mate Frankie recorded it while we were watching it,bassa !!!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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