Wissam Ben Yedder fires Sevilla to Group H win versus Lyon

Wissam Ben Yedder's second-half goal gave Sevilla a 1-0 home win over Lyon in Champions League Group H on Tuesday.

The French striker struck eight minutes after the break to ensure the reigning Europa League holders maintained their strong start in Europe's premier club competition.

The margin of victory might have been greater but Luciano Vietto put his penalty over the crossbar midway through the second half.

Sevilla, who began their group campaign with a very creditable goalless draw at Juventus, started well and went close early on when Machin Vitolo volleyed over following a Sergio Escudero free kick.

Lyon responded in positive fashion and Nabil Fekir sent a shot narrowly wide before Maciej Rybus forced home goalkeeper Gonzalez Sergio Rico to tip his 25-yard effort round a post. From the resulting corner, Maxime Gonalons headed the ball over the crossbar.

The French visitors were in the ascendancy and Gonzalez Sergio Rico had to save with his feet from Gnarly Cornet midway through the first half.

Samir Nasri went close for Sevilla after half an hour but Lyon were soon on the attack again and Rico had to makes saves to deny Jordy Gaspar and Cornet as half-time approached.

It was against the run of play when Sevilla took the lead in the 53rd minute. Steven Nzonzi's deep cross saw the ball recycled and Vietto headed it back across the penalty area for Yedder to nod into the roof of the net from close range.

Jorge Sampaoli's team found their feet after that and Yedder and Vietto went close to adding to the lead.

Vietto should have done just that after 70 minutes when Nasri was fouled by Gaspar but he blasted the resulting spot kick over the bar.

Corentin Tolisso hit the woodwork for Lyon five minutes afterwards with a curling effort from the edge of the area before Vicente Iborra, with a header, and then Yedder went close to another goal for Sevilla.

Nzonzi nearly made it 2-0 in the final minute but his long-range strike was parried away by Anthony Lopes.

The three points saw Sevilla leapfrog Lyon in the table to assume second spot behind leaders Juventus, who lead through goal differential after beating Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 on Tuesday.