Lyon stake their claim for fifth title

Lyon's Norwegian forward John Carew (C) celebrates with teammates French Sylvain Wiltord (L) Anthony Reveillere (2ndL) and Benoit Pedretti (R) after scoring against Le Mans during their French L1 football match, at the Leon Bollee stadium in Le Mans. Lyon won 2-1.

Four-time French champions Lyon started their new league campaign with a 2-1 win at newly promoted Le Mans.

Former Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier got off to a positive start with his new club and put his team on track for a fifth successive league title, proving that there is life after the departure of his predecessor, Paul Le Guen.

Sylvain Wiltord fired Lyon ahead in the 37th minute after a long ball hoofed up field by Anthony Reveillere, the former Arsenal winger chested the ball down and crisply hit it from the edge of the area leaving Le Mans keeper, Yann Pele helpless.

Le Mans replied in the 57th minute.

Japanese winger Daisuke Matsui fired a low teasing cross between Brazilian defender Cacapa and goalkeeper Gregory Coupet where Brazilian Tulio De Melo was waiting to toe-poke the ball home to score on his debut.

But less than a minute later, Lyon's giant Norwegian striker John Carew, signed from Valencia in the summer, latched onto a perfect cross from French international Sydney Govou on the right flank to head home from close range on his league debut.

After the match, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas found himself again fielding questions over the future of midfielder Michael Essien who has been linked with a big-money move to Chelsea.

Essien didn't play Sunday because of illness.

Lyon's forward Sylvain Wiltord (L) vies with Le Mans' Serbian defender Marco Basa during their french L1 football match at the Leon Bollee stadium in Le Mans. Lyon won 2-1.

"If we do lose one of our best players, it will be difficult especially because of a player of Michael's calibre," said Aulas.

"We don't know if the transfer will happen next week, next year or in ten years time but Chelsea will have to be very persuasive for him to go."

Aulas claimed that Manchester United are also interested in the promising Ghanaian.

On Saturday, former European champions Marseille slipped up 2-0 to Bordeaux in their opening match on Saturday while their south coast rivals Monaco and last years runners-up Lille recorded 1-0 victories.

Julian Faubert broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when he fired past Marseille's goalkeeper Cedric Carasso to give Bordeaux the lead at the Stade Velodrome.

Marseille's Frederic Dehu was sent off in the 54th minute after a strong challenge on Marouane Chamakh before Bordeaux substitute Pierre Ducasse added a second goal in the 87th minute.

Didier Dechamps' Monaco scraped through their match away to Nancy with a 1-0 win at the Stade Marcel Picot, the former Juventus player Olivier Kapo finding the net after a slick pass from Maoulida in the 69th minute.

Elie Kroupi and Mickael Chretien were both sent off for Nancy.

Lille started where they left off last season with a hard fought 1-0 win in Rennes thanks to a goal from Cameroon's Jean Makoun.

Nantes saw off Lens 2-0 with goals from Gilles Yapi-Yapo and Luigi Glombard while Toulouse snatched all three points in their 1-0 away win to Sochaux thanks to a 16th-minute goal from Santos.

Auxerre launched their first season in 44 years without the inspirational coach Guy Roux who retired last season.

New man in charge Jacques Santini couldn't guide his side to victory at home to Strasbourg where the game finished 0-0.

On Friday a new look Paris Saint Germain side made their intentions clear with a 4-1 win over Metz.

Summer signing Bonaventure Kalou was instrumental for PSG, teh former Auxerre striker scored the opening goal and set up Edouarde Cisse, Jerome Rothen and substitute Christophe Landrin.

South Korea's Ahn Jung-Hwhan marked his first appearence in the French league with a Metz consolation.