Lyon and Nantes stride on

By Christian Châtelet

The defending champions Olympique Lyonnais and FC Nantes Atlantique maintained their faultless starts to the 2005/06 Ligue 1 season with respective wins against RC Strasbourg and Stade Rennais FC on Sunday.

Carew decisive
John Carew scored the all-important goal on 26 minutes for the UEFA Champions League entrants, despite Strasbourg making the better start. The Norwegian international collected a long throw from Benoît Pedretti before finding room to fire in a half-volley from six metres.

Juninho boost
Strasbourg came close to equalising two minutes later only for Amara Diané’s shot to hit the post. The arrival of Juninho Pernambucano on the hour boosted Lyon and the Brazilian was soon pinging the ball around the Gerland field, creating one chance for Sidney Govou who shot wide. Still, Lyon had done enough to maintain their 100 per cent start.

Run ended
The same applies to Nantes, who today became the first side to win at the Route de Lorient stadium for ten months, defeating Rennes 3-0. The Canaris broke the deadlock after 14 minutes through Ivory Coast midfielder Emerse Fae, while another African player, Mali's Mamadou Diallo, came off the bench to head the second in the 80th minute.

Jeunechamp dismissed
Three minutes later the Rennes captain Cyril Jeunechamp was dismissed for a second bookable offence, creating extra space for new Nantes recruit Habib Bamogo to seal a convincing win on 86 minutes. Paris Saint-Germain FC and FC Girondins de Bordeaux also have maximum points.