Lyon hammered Monaco 3-0 on Friday in the first game of the Ligue 1 season as former Brazil defender Sylvinho started his coaching reign in perfect style and Cesc Fabregas was shown a red card.

Moussa Dembele and Memphis Depay scored either side of Fabregas’ dismissal in the first half.

Midfielder Lucas Tousart added a third with 10 minutes remaining against an inexperienced home side who were without former captain Radamel Falcao who is expected to leave the Principality before the end of the transfer window on September 2.

“I said in the week all of three or four opening games will be difficult and Monaco were a difficult opposition, I’m happy with the result,” Lyon boss Sylvinho told French broadcasters Canal+.

“I hoped my team would play like this, there’s always improvements to be made but I am happy,” the former Champions League winner added.

His side showed minimal rustiness despite seeing influential trio in former skipper Nabil Fekir, left-back Ferland Mendy and midfielder Tanguy Ndombele leave during the off-season.

They claimed an early lead with six minutes on the clock with a powerful Dembele header.

Things turned from bad to worse for the hosts when experienced playmaker Fabregas was shown a red card for stamping on the back of Leo Dubois’ leg on the half hour mark.

Sylvinho’s outfit doubled their advantage with nine minutes of the first 45 to play.

Bertrand Traore, who set up Dembele for Lyon’s first, could have added his side’s third but his header from Depay’s 65th-minute corner found the side-netting.

Lyon made sure of all three points with 10 minutes remaining to guarantee a positive start to Sylvinho’s tenure.

Dembele broke down the left, cut back to find summer signing Thiago Mendes who laid a pass off to Tousart at the edge of the box who hammered home a powerful half-volley.