Lyon Surprises Manchester City at the Etihad

Looks like the Citizens' disjointed showing against Fulham was a sign of things to come.

If Pep Guardiola blew a gasket after that underachievement -- and he did -- odds are his blood pressure is redlining after this one.

Premiership titlists Manchester City's planned conquest of Europe hit a snag right outta the gate when Lyon caught them napping yet again.

As a result, Les Gones -- the Kids -- posted a 1-2 triumph at Champions League Group F play got underway.

 

Guardiola was in the stands due to a touchline ban, which probably saved more than one Citizen from being choked.

This spunky French side got into the UCL by finishing third in Ligue 1 with a 23-9-6 record, and les dudes know how to protect a lead.

That's why, in the 26th minute, the signs became ominous for City. Fabian Delph’s attempt at a clear was intercepted by Nabil Fekir. The French International quickly found Maxwel Cornet, who beat Ederson:

 

Benjamin Disraeli's claim that there are three types of lies, with the third being statistics proved accurate again on this night.

Although City had 70% of the possession, Lyon made the most of what they got.

Take the 43rd minute, for example. Fernandinho lost the ball to Fekir -- another fateful giveaway -- who struck a missile from distance into the bottom corner:

 

The odds finally offered City a glimmer of hope in the second half.

Dudes were still being held in check by Lyon's ability to launch lightning counters, but Memphis Depay hit manage to hit a post as he got face-to-face with Ederson. A few moments later, in the 67th, Bernardo Silva racked one up for the home side.

Leroy Sané found the Portuguese international, who beat the 'keeper with a smart finish in the bottom corner:

 

City could have leveled things up later through Sergio Agüero, but the Argentine's effort went wide.

If this result wasn't disappointing enough for the hosts, their fans made it worse afterward.

 

It was a twisted contrast to the curious lack of emotion their side showed toward a showcase European match. But that's their issue to sort out.

Les Gones, meanwhile, were understandably ecstatic.