Czech international, and former Aston Villa striker, Milan Baros scored the opener for Lyon, who are hunting a record seventh consecutive title, on the 34th minute after dribbling his way into the box and deftly chipping Auxerre goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Karim Benzema doubled the scoreline twenty minutes from time with a left-footed thunderbolt that screamed past Sorin.

Auxerre failed to take advantage of Lyon's frailties in defence that was missing first choice goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and central defender Sebastien Squillaci.

Summer signing Kader Keita and France international Sidney Govou looked dangerous on occasions going forward on the flanks but struggled when needed in defence.

"It was a good night in the sense that we didn't pick up more injuries," said Lyon coach Alain Perrin

"We had good chances and didn't give much away."

Meanwhile, France's Champions League contenders Marseille and Toulouse both failed to fire on Saturday.

Last season's runners-up Marseille were held to a 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Strasbourg while Toulouse, who will face English giants Liverpool in their Champions League qualifier, slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Valenciennces.

Despite having his high-profile summer signings of Gael Givet, Benoit Cheyrou, Boudewijn Zenden, Djibril Cisse and Karim Ziani on the pitch Albert Emon's Marseille side struggled to break down the home team.

Ziani, who was brought from Sochaux to fill the gap left by Franck Ribery's move to Bayern Munich in midfield, was the only new recruit to show glimpses of class.

"To be satisfied with an away draw, why not? But we can't be satisfied with the rhythm of the match," said Emon.

"We didn't win good balls in midfield to feed our strikers and up front there was some poor communication, because we didn't get three or four passes between our strikers."

Toulouse were undone by Valenciennces striker Johan Audel who hit the French season's first hat trick.

Audel opened the scoring in the sixth minute for Valenciennes, who finished 17th last season, just one place above the relegation zone.

Toulouse levelled through midfielder Nicholas Dieuze, but Audel went on to complete his hat trick.

Meanwhile, Rennes lost 2-0 to Nancy.

Midfielder Marc-Antoine Fortune silenced the home supporters on the 36th minute with Youssouf Hadji doubling the scoreline just four minutes later.

Rennes, who finished fourth in the 2006-2007 season, will hope their performance levels pick up if they are to mount a serious challenge in the UEFA Cup this season.

Paul le Guen's Paris Saint Germain were dominated throughout their match with French Cup holders Sochaux in an uninspiring 0-0 draw at the Parc des Princes despite striker Pauleta, last season's leading goal scorer, hitting the post on three occasions.

However, it needed goalkeeper Mickael Landreau to put be in top form to keep the vistors at bay for a share of the points.

World cup winning defender Laurent Blanc made his managerial debut with Bordeaux and his side beat veteran coach Guy Roux's Lens 1-0.

Former Manchester United and Nice player David Bellion's 30th-minute goal went unanswered as Blanc's Bordeaux, who will compete in this season's UEFA Cup, got their campaign off to an ideal start.