Saracens survived an almighty scare as they fought back from 17-5 down to defeat Lyon 39-24 in a home win that keeps their Investec Champions Cup season alive.
England second-row Maro Itoje scored a brace on the night while Theo Dan was named player of the match after an all-action performance in the hooker shirt for his club side.
Ivan van Zyl, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti were ‘ other try-scorers while Owen Farrell had an indifferent game but was solid off the tee with 14 points.
Lyon, without an away win in all competitions for almost a year, led by 12 points at half-time.
Centre Josiah Maraku collected a try double and wing Davit Niniashvili also scored, while Lyon skipper Leo Berdeu booted a penalty and three conversions, but Saracens ultimately avoided making a first exit since 2011.
Saracens were immediately into their stride, putting together impressive phase-play, and they went ahead after just four minutes.
England forwards and Ben Earl set up a strong attacking position, and Van Zyl took a quick penalty to cross unopposed.
Victories for Lyon over Bristol and the Bulls meant they arrived in north London having already qualified, but they stunned Saracens through an opportunist 15th-minute score.
Saracens were on the attack, but Van Zyl’s pass was intercepted by Lyon’s Georgia international wing Niniashvili, who sprinted 80 metres to claim a try that Berdeu converted.
Berdeu extended Lyon’s lead with a 26th-minute penalty, and Saracens’ initial promise had evaporated as the visitors began to assert control.
Lyon displayed composure and accuracy in attack, and it was no surprise when they extended their lead just before half-time.
Saracens found themselves in a prolonged defensive mode, with Lyon patiently creating an opportunity to strike, with Maraku touching down and Berdeu converting for a 17-5 interval lead.
Lyon were good value for their advantage, but it was cut by seven points early in the second period when Itoje pounced for a try that Farrell converted.
Just when Saracens looked like they might have some much-needed momentum, they were undone when Farrell twice had kicks charged down in rapid succession.
Lyon prop Jerome Rey blocked the first attempted clearance, then lock Joel Kpoku replicated it and Maraku gathered the bounce for his second try. Berdeu’s conversion made it 24-12 before Farrell kicked a short-range penalty.
And when Saracens decided to go route-one, it was rewarded as Itoje collected his second try, this time from a lineout drive, and Farrell’s conversion left his team just two points behind.
The fly-half then kicked another penalty as Saracens edged in front, before Gonzalez’s score finally ended an impressive Lyon challenge and Cinti added try number five.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Lucio Cinti, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Theo Dan, 1 Logovi’i Mulipola
Replacements: 16 James Hadfield, 17 Sam Crean, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Hugh Tizard, 20 Toby Knight, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Olly Hartley, 23 Tom Parton
Lyon: 15 Alexandre Tchaptchet, 14 Monty Ioane, 13 Alfred Parisien, 12 Josiah Maraku, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 10 Léo Berdeu (c), 9 Liam Rimet, 8 Maxime Gouzou, 7 Theo William, 6 Marvin Okuya, 5 Ugo Vignolles, 4 Joel Kpoku, 3 Hamza Kaabeche, 2 Yanis Charcosset, 1 Jérôme Rey
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Paulo Tafili, 19 Loann Goujon, 20 Félix Lambey, 21 Paul Dumas, 22 Kyle Godwin, 23 Fletcher Smith
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (Sco), Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
