Neither team had tasted victory in any competition since mid-February, and they both looked determined to change that early on, with Lyon striker Endrick flashing a shot wide after forcing a defensive error and Remy Descamps saving Issa Soumare’s close-range header with his legs.
Next, it was Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw’s time to shine, as he kept out Endrick’s powerful drive and then brilliantly tipped Abner Vinicius’ effort over the crossbar midway through the half.
Diaw’s duel with Endrick continued four minutes before half-time, when the Real Madrid loanee fired a fierce effort goalwards from the edge of the box, and the Senegalese stopper parried it away.
With more than a sense of Lyon being in the ascendancy, Le Havre boss Didier Digard will have been grateful to reach the interval at 0-0, as his side ended a run of six successive Ligue 1 games in which they had failed to keep a first-half clean sheet.
Les Gones threatened again just seven minutes after the break, though, as skipper Corentin Tolisso - looking to become the first Lyon player to score in five consecutive Ligue 1 matches since Alexandre Lacazette in February 2024 - saw a close-range header ruled out for offside.
That sparked a breathless few minutes, as Sofiane Boufal crashed a shot against the base of the post for Le Havre, before the hosts were reduced to 10 men, when Stephan Zagadou hauled Endrick to the floor to stop the Brazilian racing through on goal.
Despite the red card, Le Havre struck the post again shortly after the hour mark when Loic Négo’s volley cannoned off the woodwork.
That was a rare second-half chance for the hosts, as Lyon dominated possession thanks to the advantage of the extra man, but Digard’s side defended stoutly and limited their opponents to few clear-cut opportunities.
A stalemate it ultimately was, and though Le Havre have now failed to score in four successive games (D1, L3), this draw will feel almost like a victory, as they increased the gap to the relegation places to eight points.
Lyon, however, will rue a huge opportunity missed, as they will end the weekend fourth in Ligue 1 and two points behind Olympique de Marseille.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mory Diaw (Le Havre)