"It's been a crazy three days," the Englishman said after the game. "Obviously it moved very, very fast, but today it was important that we got the job done," he added. Elsewhere, Monaco, winless in Ligue 1 since November, hung on with 10 men before beating third-tier Orleans 3-1.

In Normandy, Strasbourg did not falter after losing one English coach, Liam Rosenior, to Chelsea, and unveiling another one in former Wolves boss O'Neill on Wednesday. "The scoreline 6-0 makes it look easy, but it's only easy because we did things properly from the moment I came training on Thursday and training yesterday," O'Neil said.

"The way the boys approached the game today, very professional and a good win for everyone." Strasbourg raced to a three-goal lead in the first half and added three more afer the break as O'Neil made a string of substitutions. "We were hoping that we would get a lead in the game so that we could make some changes and I could see more of the players. So it was good, I got to see 16 of them today."

"A good first few days and now we get to work. I have enjoyed the last three days." Monaco, deprived of 10 key players, looked anxious and struggled to impose themselves. They took the lead whenÂ Folarin Balogun converted a rare first-half opportunity after 27 minutes. After Monaco's Stanis Idumbo picked up a second yellow card in the 44th minute, the visitors sat back.

They survived several scares before 19-year-old George Ilenikhena, who had come off the bench to replace Balogun, struck in the 88th minute and again four minutes into added time. Two minutes later Fahd El Khoumisti gave the hosts a consolation goal. "The main thing was to qualify. The spirit of the team, playing 10 against 11, was remarkable," said Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli.

In Angers, Norwegian goalkeeper Kjetil Haug stopped two spot kicks as Toulouse won a clash of Ligue 1 clubs in a shoot-out. The game between Ligue 1 leaders Lens and third-tier Sochaux was postponed to Sunday because of snow.

J. Panichelli

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