Benzema double gives Lyon serene start

Karim Benzema scored two second-half goals as Olympique Lyonnais commenced the defence of their Ligue 1 title with a 3-0 victory over Toulouse FC at Stade de Gerland.

Debutant goalscorer
Lyon are aiming to win their eighth straight top-flight crown and started in convincing style in Claude Puel's first game in charge as coach. Another debutant, Jean II Makoun, opened the scoring for the hosts after 12 minutes angling his body well to head in a pacy set-piece delivery from Juninho Pernambucano. Toulouse, who also have a new head coach in the shape of Alain Casanova, struggled to make an impact, with two counterattacks the sum total of their first-half efforts.

Benzema's double act
Benzema doubled Lyon's lead in the 58th minute, taking down Sidney Govou's precise cross on his chest before firing past goalkeeper Cédric Carrasso from close range. Seven minutes later he made the game safe when he followed up Jean-Alain Boumsong's header which cannoned off the crossbar. The only sour note on the night for Lyon was the substitution of François Clerc just before half-time after he landed awkwardly as he tried to control a pass.