Cup joy for Marseille

Brandao scored an extra-time winner as Marseille beat Lyon 1-0 to lift the League Cup and provide their supporters with some much-needed cheer.

Brandao scores extra-time winner to sink Lyon

Brandao scored an extra-time winner as Marseille beat Lyon 1-0 to lift the League Cup and provide their supporters with some much-needed cheer at the Stade de France. After the standard 90 minutes failed to serve up much in the way of entertainment, Brandao struck decisively at the end of the first period of extra-time to secure the trophy for Didier Deschamps' side. Marseille's success brought some respite following a run of 12 games without a win, while Lyon's disappointment was compounded by Dejan Lovren's sending off late in the game. In the first half, Kim Kallstrom shot over for Lyon while they were grateful to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after he got to the ball with Stephane M'Bia primed for the header. Loic Remy had a shot deflected for a corner for Marseille while Lyon's Lisandro Lopez fired wide as the break came with little of note having happened. Deschamps' side were closer to breaking the deadlock in the second half. Mathieu Valbuena curled an effort just wide and they were inches away from taking the lead when Morgan Amalfitano's header was touched on to the post by Lloris. The game went into extra-time and Valbuena's effort was blocked by Lloris whose team-mate Jimmy Briand shot just over. Marseille finally made the breakthrough just before the end of the first period. Benoit Cheyrou found Brandao in the area and he slotted the ball between Lloris' legs into the net from close range. They almost doubled their lead moments later when Lloris pulled off a stunning reflex save from Andre Ayew's goalbound header. There was further drama two minutes from time when a foul by Briand sparked a melee with Lovren getting his second yellow card and he was subsequently dismissed as Lyon's night ended in misery. For Marseille, it was as much relief as they celebrated becoming the first team to win the cup on three successive occasions.