PSG march on but Lyon sent packing

PARIS, France -- Resurgent Paris Saint Germain booked their spot in the French League Cup semifinals on Wednesday with a 4-0 rout of Valenciennes as Japan midfielder Daisuke Matsui ensured Le Mans' passage at the expense of Lyon.

Three days after achieving just their first win of the season at Parc des Princes, PSG confirmed their form with a victory which came despite being reduced to 10 men after six minutes when Colombian defender Mario Yepes was dismissed for a tackle on Slovak defender Filip Sebo.

Ivorian striker Amara Diane, who scored a double in their 3-0 win over Lens on Sunday, repeated the feat with goals after 55 and 61 minutes.

Pauleta opened for the hosts after two minutes when he converted a penalty with Jerome Rothen completing the scoring in 67 minutes.

PSG coach Paul Le Guen said: "Today I'm happy with the score but above all the qualification, our ability to battle. Even if we had difficulties the team remained united throughout the match. We never gave up."

But he warned: "We have to remain vigilant. We mustn't get carried away."

Meanwhile, Matsui ensured hosts Le Mans a victory in what was sweet revenge for their demise to the same opponents in last season's last four clash.

Matsui's powerful 29th-minute strike toppled the six-time French champions in a match which had been postponed from Tuesday because of strong winds at the Leon-Bollee Stadium.

Perrin bemoaned their exiting even if it is the lowest of his priorities in terms of silverware this season. "This was one of our targets this season and now it has gone. We paid for our first-half performance where we just did not play the match as if it were a Cup match."

Without their African players Romaric and Ibrahima Camara, who returned to their national teams for the African Nations Cup, 27-year-old Matsui proved to be the stalwart of the Le Mans side.

Lyon lacked fire in their forward line with star striker Karim Benzema thwarted at every turn by the hosts as he lacked the support of his strike partners Milan Baros and Brazilian international Fred.

Apart from solo attacks from Benzema, Lyon's best chance was a Juninho free-kick three minutes before the break which was cleared by Jean Clave.

Le Mans' victory gives them a lift after they struggled to get past amateur side Selongey in the last round and a 2-0 loss at home to Sochaux at the weekend. E-mail to a friend