Hoarau helps PSG claim French Cup

Paris Saint-Germain FC won the French Cup for the eighth time after Guillaume Hoarau's extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 victory against AS Monaco FC in a lively encounter at Stade de France.

It was a case of the goalkeepers trumping the strikers for the majority of the final and even when Monaco No1 Stéphane Ruffier was beaten by Mevlüt Erdinç with eight minutes of normal time remaining, he was rescued by his crossbar. There was no reprieve, however, as the game approached the halfway mark of extra time, when Ruffier palmed Christophe Jallet's close-range attempt into Hoarau's path and the PSG striker converted the chance easily.

With the vast majority of the 80,000 fans present supporting PSG, it was a popular winner. For Monaco coach Guy Lacombe it was a second consecutive final loss after EA Guingamp defeated his Stade Rennais FC outfit last season. PSG have now won three of last seven French Cups and the victory earns them a UEFA Europa League play-off spot for next term. "Hats off to the whole team," said PSG midfielder Ludovic Giuly, who picked up his first winners' medal in the competition. "It's a great relief for everyone in the squad and for the club."