Olympique Lyonnais made light of Hugo Lloris's departure to go top in France while reigning champions Montpellier Hérault SC secured a first win.

Tottenham Hotspur FC-bound Lloris said goodbye to Stade de Gerland before kick-off against Valenciennes FC but successor Rémy Vercoutre was beaten on 12 minutes by Gil's header. However, Michel Bastos soon levelled and a Bafétimbi Gomis penalty gave Lyon a half-time lead. Clément Grenier's fine strike on 66 minutes proved crucial due to Grégory Pujol's response and Lyon’s 3-2 win takes them a point ahead of Olympique de Marseille, who hope to maintain their perfect start against Stade Rennais FC tomorrow, when UEFA Champions League contenders LOSC Lille and Paris Saint-Germain FC are matched.

The other French side in that competition, Montpellier, had one point from three games of their Ligue 1 defence, but put that right as Younés Belhanda's penalty and second-half goals from Emanuel Herrera and Rémi Cabella shaped a 3-1 win at point-less FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. FC Lorient remain unbeaten after overcoming AS Nancy-Lorraine 3-0 and Toulouse FC are also without defeat but only after Wissam Ben Yedder's last-minute equaliser against Stade de Reims Champagne cancelled out Aymen Abdennour's own goal.