Taiwo ensures Marseille defend League Cup

Olympique de Marseille became the first team to defend the French League Cup since the relaunch of the competition in 1995, defeating Montpellier Hérault SC 1-0 thanks to a late strike by Taye Taiwo.

Taiwo − who scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 triumph against the same side in Ligue 1 last Sunday − was the first to react after Montpellier goalkeeper Laurent Pionnier failed to punch clear Benoît Cheyrou's free-kick. In a game of few chances at Stade de France, Marseille's Mathieu Valbuena also hit the post with a volley.

"It was a very difficult game," said OM coach Didier Deschamps, who was in charge last year when Marseille prevailed 3-1 against FC Girondins de Bordeaux. "We showed composure and bravery to win tonight and to reward the fans."