AS Roma and Olympique Lyonnais draw in Europa League quarter-final first leg

Jose Mourinho's Roma held to frustrating draw by Lyon in first leg

Roma 2-1 Lyon: Abraham, Pellegrini goals cancelled out by Ekambi strike as tie remains on a knife-edge ahead of second leg in France

AS Roma were held to a 2-1 home draw by Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

Tammy Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini scored for the Serie A side, but Karl Toko Ekambi's away goal gives Lyon the advantage ahead of the second leg in France next week.

Roma made the perfect start, taking the lead after just eight minutes when Abraham bundled home from close range following a corner.

The hosts continued to press and doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Pellegrini curled a superb free-kick into the top corner.

However, Lyon pulled a goal back just before half-time when Ekambi finished off a fine move involving Moussa Dembele and Houssem Aouar.

The second half was a more even affair, with both sides having chances to win the game.

Roma came closest to a winner when substitute Eldor Shomurodov hit the post late on.

The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg in Lyon next Thursday.

Roma will need to score at least once in France to progress, while Lyon will be confident of finishing the job at home.