1 May 2006, by Sean Gillen

Rampant Lyon give St Etienne footballing lesson

Lyon 4-0 St Etienne

Lyon celebrated their first home game since winning the league championship with an impressive derby win over a poor St Etienne side at the Stade Gerland.

Having clinched their fifth straight title two weeks ago, Gerard Houllier’s men lost last week away at Monaco. But the champions were back on track with an outstanding performance in front of their own fans.

The Lyon players took to the field with their hair and faces painted in the club’s red, blue and white colours, and the football played was worthy of champions as they thoroughly outplayed their local rivals.

St Etienne arrived with the intention of spoiling the party and almost took a surprise lead after just 40 seconds. Bafetimbi Gomis latched onto Fredric Piquionne’s header before smashing his shot onto the crossbar. It would prove to be a rare attack from ‘Les Verts’, who arrived without former Porto striker Helder Postiga.

Tiago goes close

Portuguese midfielder Tiago, so influential in Lyon’s success this season, was first to threaten Jeremy Janot in the St Etienne goal after eight minutes. Sidney Govou chested a Sylvain Wiltord ball into the path of the former Chelsea man, who struck the ball sweetly on the half volley to draw an excellent save from Janot.

However, the champions did take the lead from the resulting corner thanks to an own goal from former Lyon defender David Hellebuyck. Juninho’s ball was met at the back post by Wiltord, whose cutback hit the unfortunate Hellebuyck and ended up in the back of the net.

Lyon continued to carve their way through the St Etienne defence with ease, Tiago and Wiltord exchanging passes before the striker fired over. Brazilian captain Claudio Cacapa could also have doubled his side’s lead but scuffed his finish when well placed six metres out.

Tiago’s shot was deflected over the bar before Brazilian striker Fred scored a superb second for the home side. Good work on the left from Eric Abidal saw the full-back find Fred on the edge of the box, and the 21-year-old forward beat Vincent Hogon before clinically driving the ball into the bottom corner.

Julien Sable hit the bar for St Etienne with a free-kick before half time but Lyon continued their dominance after the break and got their third in the 54th minute from the penalty spot. Juninho made the most of little contact from Fousseni Diawara, but was awarded a spot-kick and scored his seventh league goal of the season.

Lyon wrapped up an excellent evening when substitute Benoit Pedretti broke into the box and nutmegged Janot to get their fourth. Tiago had another great chance late on, but after making room for the shot, could not beat Janot.

Lyon travel to Lille next week before being presented with the league title after the final game of the season, at home against Le Mans.

Lyon:
Coupet, Clerc, Abidal (Monsoreau, 73), Cris, Cacapa, Diarra, Tiago, Juninho (Pedretti, 78), Govou, Wiltord, Fred (Ben Arfa, 73)
Yellow Cards: None

St Etienne:
Janot, Hogon, Camara, Itlunga, Diawara, Hellebuyck, Zokora, Sable, Mendy (Feindouno, 46), Gomis (Mazure, 68), Piquionne
Yellow Cards: Zokora (52)

Goals:
[1-0] Hellebuyck, 10 (o.g.)
[2-0] Fred, 37
[3-0] Juninho, 57 (pen)
[4-0] Pedretti, 82