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New signing John Carew scored the winner as Lyon began their title defence with a 2-1 win over promoted Le Mans at the Stade Léon-Bollée on Sunday.
Lyon Coach Gérard Houllier was deprived of two of last season’s star midfielders in Michael Essien (gastro) and Juninho (unfit) but was still able to name 10 internationals in his starting line-up for the trip to Le Mans.
But it was last season’s Ligue 2 runners up that had the better of a cagey opening 30 minutes with summer arrival Ndri Romaric enjoying some uncustomary space afforded by Lyon’s unfamiliar midfield pairing of Mahamadou Diarra and Benoït Pedretti.
Le Mans’ best chance of the half came after a flowing team move down the right wing just after the half-hour. James Fanchone was played in behind Lyon left-back Jérémy Berthod, however he was unable to pick out a teammate with the resulting cross.
Lyon ‘keeper Grégory Coupet immediately found Anthony Reveillère on the right who was allowed to progress unhindered to the halfway line where he launched the ball forward to Sylvain Wiltord.
Wiltord controlled on the chest before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Yohan Pelé for the opening goal.
Le Mans came out from the break in aggressive fashion.
Romaric threaded the ball through to Japanese winger Daisuke Matsui inside the Lyon penalty area but Coupet was on hand to deny the hosts with a brilliant reflex save.
Le Mans were overriding Lyon in the midfield and the Romaric-Matsui combination struck again on 57 minutes to greater effect. Matsui was played into the inner left channel of the box, but this time he squared the ball for Brazilian Tulio De Melo to turn in his first goal in French football.
Unfortunately for Le Mans, the goal shocked Lyon into an immediate reply.
A superb raking diagonal ball from Diarra picked out Sidney Govou wide on the right. His powerfully volleyed cross found the in-form Norwegian striker John Carew who out-muscled his marker to plant a firm header past Pelé.
Houllier then reverted to last season’s familiar 4-3-3 formation with Wiltord making way for defensive midfielder Ludovic Clément and Pierre-Alain Frau replacing Govou on the right wing.
In the final stages Lyon’s physical superiority showed and Claudio Caçapa’s men finally ran out relatively comfortable winners.
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