France round-up: Monaco in command

AS Monaco FC celebrated the loan capture of Spanish striker Fernando Morientes by beating FC Metz 1-0 to climb to the top of Ligue 1 on goal difference on Sunday.

Squillaci winner
The Real Madrid CF forward, who has joined Monaco on a season-long loan, was in the stands to see his new team-mates clinch victory through Sébastien Squillaci's 38th-minute header.

Bakari goal
RC Lens are one of three sides placed two points below the leaders thanks to a solitary Dagui Bakari goal in the 73rd minute of their game against previously unbeaten OGC Nice.

Leaders slip
The other two, Lille OSC and FC Nantes Atlantique, both failed to win their games on Saturday. Nantes played out a goalless draw with FC Girondins de Bordeaux while LOSC lost 2-1 at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. The visitors went ahead through Philippe Brunel's sixth-minute goal but Santos equalised three minutes later and an Eric Abidal own goal midway through the first half sealed their fate.

PSG pipped
At the other end of the table, Paris Saint-Germain FC slumped to their third defeat in five games at Montpellier Hérault FC. Two goals from Habid Bamogo and a late strike by Rui Pataca gave Montpellier a 3-2 win after Brazilian Reinaldo's double had appeared to put PSG in line for victory. The capital club are 17th in the table.

Champions slain
EA Guingamp moved off the bottom with a 2-0 victory at home to champions Olympique Lyonnais. Lyon fielded new signing Giovane Elber but two defensive errors undid the champions.

Defensive uncertainty
On a rain-soaked pitch, Lyon's Brazilian defender Edmilson was unable to clear, and inadvertently set up Moumouni Dagano to give the home side the lead. Eight minutes later, more uncertainty in the Lyon defence enabled Argentinian defender Fabricio Fuentes to shoot past Grégory Coupet from outside the penalty area.

Cisse on target
Elsewhere, AJ Auxerre, who also had a poor start, were relieved to beat Stade Rennais FC 2-1, with French international Djibril Cissé scoring his first goal of the season. Promoted Le Mans and Toulouse FC, the only teams still searching for their first win, suffered defeats by RC Strasbourg and SC Bastia respectively.

Marseille joint-top
In Sunday's late game, Olympique de Marseille joined Monaco at the top of the standings with a 1-0 win away at AC Ajaccio 1-0, Camel Meriem scoring in the 64th minute.