French League Cup Round-Up

Lyon suffer shock cup exit, while PSG cruise into next round

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 16th January 2008

le mans

Matsui celebrates opener

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  • AJ Auxerre
  • Le Mans

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Le Mans dumped Lyon out of the French League Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

Daisuke Matsui scored the only goal of the game to give Le Mans a famous win over the French champions.

Japan midfielder Matsui netted the crucial goal on 28 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box, as Lyon struggled to find anything like their top form.

The win sends Le Mans into the semi-finals, where they will face Lens following their 3-0 home win over Nancy.

Midfielder Yohan Demont opened the scoring for Lens with a stunning volley on 15 minutes.

That lead was doubled just before the half-time break when forward Toifilou Maoulida netted with a clever lob. Gloss was put on a polished display when in the second half Olivier Monterrubio dispatched from the penalty spot.

PSG progress

Paris Saint Germain cruised into the next round courtesy of a 4-0 defeat of Valenciennes, despite playing most of the match a man down.

Pauleta opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but PSG were reduced to ten men in just the fifth minute when Mario Yepes saw red for a tackle from behind on Filip Sebo.

However, Valenciennes failed to capitalise and after the half-time interval a double from Amara Diane and a late effort by Jerome Rothen booked PSG's passage to the latter stages.

Auxerre's Benoit Pedretti enjoyed a night to remember against former club Marseille as his last minute goal proved decisive.