France round-up: Giuly sends Monaco top

Marseille slip
Monaco went top after Olympique de Marseille slipped up against FC Nantes Atlantique, losing 1-0 thanks to a fierce third-minute drive from Marama Vahirua. Sébastien Pérez hit the crossbar for Marseille but they failed to find an equaliser.

Elber double
In the day's other game, basement side Le Mans UC 72 lost 2-0 at home against Olympique Lyonnais. Giovane Elber scored both goals in a game soured by the dismissals of Lyon's Sidney Govou and Frédéric Thomas of Le Mans.

Narrow wins
On Saturday, FC Sochaux Montbéliard defeated RC Strasbourg 3-0 thanks to goals from Mickael Isabey, Santos and Mickael Pagis. RC Lens and AC Ajaccio both picked up 1-0 victories over FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Stade Rennais FC, with winning goals coming from Olivier Thomert and Dalibor Mitrovic in the respective games.

PSG joy
A 2-0 scoreline was recorded at both the Du Ray stadium and the Roudourou. Abdelmalek Cherrad's double handed OGC Nice victory against Lille OSC while Paris Saint-Germain FC were succesful against EA Giungamp despite having Brank Boskovic sent off. Fabrice Fiorese and Pauleta scored the goals, the latter from the penalty spot.

Avezac heroics
In the weekend's other games, AJ Auxerre beat SC Bastia 4-1 and Toulouse FC defeated FC Metz 1-0 thanks to Christophe Avezac's solitary goal.