The pattern of the game was established early on, with the visitors content to sit back and soak up the pressure against a Les Gones side that had been in fine recent form at the Groupama Stadium.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium, as Tanner Tessmann’s long-range shot drifted harmlessly over the bar, while Nicolas Tagliafico’s header was chalked off after Moussa Niakhate used his arms to play the ball back across the box.
Alexandre Dujeux’s side grew in confidence as the half wore on, and almost broke the deadlock against the run of play when Dominik Greif spilt Lilian Raolisoa's cross into the path of Yassin Belkhdim, who fired wide from close range.
Malick Fofana was one of Lyon’s liveliest players going forward, but had little joy in a bruising first half, as Carlens Arcus brought down the Belgian with an uncompromising challenge.
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In truth, it was an opening 45 minutes short of attacking quality, with both teams mustering a solitary shot on target between them heading into half-time.
Corentin Tolisso tested Herve Koffi shortly after the restart, and the Burkina Faso shot-stopper parried the midfielder’s effort over the bar.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles then looked to try his luck with a stinging long-range strike which rose over the target as Lyon stepped up their intensity.
They didn’t have to wait too much longer to make the breakthrough, and it came via a set-piece. Martín Satriano’s header from Adam Karabec’s corner was saved by Koffi, but Tessmann was on hand to clinically convert from the rebound.
Satriano came close to adding his name to the scoresheet moments later, but saw his attempt cannon off the post.
Maitland-Niles was inches away from doubling Lyon’s lead himself, latching onto Fofana’s pass and expertly cutting inside the Angers defence before narrowly missing the far post with his shot.
Koffi may have lost his clean sheet, but was still producing a fine display in between the sticks for Les Noirs et Blancs, denying Fofana from close range.
Ultimately, Les Gones held on for all three points and returned to winning ways following a frustrating 3-1 defeat to Rennes last week.
Things could have been very different for Angers had Lanroy Machine not directed his last-gasp strike against the woodwork, but a seventh successive away defeat against Lyon leaves them with six losses from their last nine league away outings against any opponent.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Corentin Tolisso (Lyon)
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