Crystal Palace were beaten 3-2 by Lyon in France after a spirited second-half response fell just short in their second Europa League match. The hosts took the points despite Palace creating renewed hope after the interval.

Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso opened the scoring from close range after Palace failed to clear an inswinging corner. The home side doubled their advantage before half-time when Rayan Cherki? Noā€”Nakamura set up Ernest Nuamah, who finished past Ɓlvaro BenĆ­tez. Palace had opportunities during the opening period, including a Strand Larsen effort that was deflected towards the goalkeeper, while BenĆ­tez also made an important save to deny Nuamah.

Palace improved significantly after the restart. A rehearsed corner routine saw the ball worked back to Adam Wharton, whose pass released Yeremy Pino. The forward kept his composure to finish high into the net, giving Palace a route back into the contest and scoring in consecutive Europa League matches.

The Eagles continued to press, but Lyon restored their two-goal cushion through substitute Viktor Å ulc. BenĆ­tez initially dealt with a shot from distance before the substitute reacted from close range to send the ball into the net. Palace still refused to give up, and Daichi Kamada reduced the deficit with eight minutes plus stoppage time remaining after Eddie Nketiah failed to reach the ball in the box.

Palace pushed for an equaliser late on, with Chris Richards seeing a header kept out, but Lyon held on. Pierre Sage introduced Kamada and Nketiah for IsmaĆÆla Sarr and JĆørgen Strand Larsen before making a final change, sending on McNeil for Quinten Timber in the closing minutes.