London - Arabstoday
Paris Saint-Germain\'s dream start to the season hit the skids after a 3-2 defeat by Dijon dumped the Ligue 1 leaders out of the Coupe de la Ligue. PSG have spent more than €85 million on transfers since being bought out by Qatar Sports Investments in the summer and currently sit top of France\'s Ligue 1. However, just a few days after a 2-0 win over new boys Dijon in league action, the big-spending Parisians failed a repeat against the Burgundy side that would have seen them join arch-rivals Marseille in the quarter-finals of the competition. PSG started the round of 16 match in positive fashion, with goals from Jean-Christophe Bahebecq and Mevlut Erding putting Antoine Kombouare\'s side 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes. But the hosts were soon back on level terms thanks to goals from former PSG player Younousse Sankhare, on the half-hour with a penalty, and Florin Berenguer two minutes later. The match turned in Dijon\'s favour when the referee pointed to the spot on the hour mark after the ball appeared to bounce off defender Zoumana Camara\'s arm. And, Brice Jovial was in no mood for charity as he stepped up to send the ball just past the outstretched glove of PSG goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez. Champions Lille eased into the last eight with a 3-1 win over Sedan, the in-form English international Joe Cole scoring for the second successive game. Lyon also progressed as they edged bitter rivals Saint-Etienne 2-1 in a hotly-contested derby - the first of two in quick succession as they clash again in Ligue 1 at the weekend. A penalty by Brazilian star Michel Bastos in the 67th minute gave Lyon a 2-0 lead - Jimmy Briand having got them off the mark - and despite a late goal by their hosts they held on to end a two-match losing streak and a first away win in six games. Marseille, who have had a castrophic start to their league campaign, began their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Coupe de la Ligue title with a 4-0 win at home over Ligue 2 side Lens yesterday.