Lyon defeats Sochaux in French soccer

Jul 28, 2007 - 7:13 PM Special to PA SportsTicker

LYON, France (Ticker) -- New Lyon coach Alain Perrin had the perfect start with a 2-1 Trophee des Champions victory over his former club, Sochaux on Saturday.

Perrin had replaced Gerard Houllier at the reins of the six-times French champions during the close season after leading Sochaux victory in the Coupe de France.

Valter Birsa put Sochaux ahead after 13 minutes only for Sidney Govou to equalise for the champions who traditionally play the Cup winners in the Trophee des Champions, the curtain-raiser for the French season.

Cris then earned the spoils for Lyon with a goal just before the break.

Lyon have offloaded key players like Eric Abidal and Florent Malouda in the summer but there was no evidence of any slip in form for the team that won the Trophee for the sixth consecutive year.

Sochaux made an excellent start to the game and took the lead when Birsa lobbed Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet from 13 yards.

But it only took eight minutes for Lyon to level scores.

Karim Benzema played the role of creator with a pass to Govou who scored from the left channel with a precise finish. Cris put Lyon ahead with what proved to be the winner just before the break.

The Brazilian defender tapped home from close range after a Milan Baros header had been parried by Sochaux goalkeeper Teddy Richert.

It was a memorable moment for the Latin American who has replaced his countryman Claudio Cacapa as club skipper.

The second half was relatively event-free although it was notable for a late substitute appearance by Fabio Grosso. The 29-year-old Italy defender, who scored the winning penalty kick in last year's World Cup final, joined Lyon from Internazionale during the summer as a replacement for the departing Abidal.