Dream debut takes Valenciennes top

Valenciennes FC's Johan Audel scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Toulouse FC while AS Nancy-Lorraine, FC Girondins de Bordeaux and SM Caen also won on day one of the French season.

Debut delight
Audel, newly signed from LOSC Lille Métropole, struck after six, 29 and 61 minutes as Valenciennes defeated UEFA Champions League qualifiers Toulouse at the Nungesser Stadium. Nicolas Dieuze had equalised for the visitors but they were handicapped when striker Johan Elmander limped off in the 26th minute holding his left thigh. Audel's treble – more goals than he has managed in any previous campaign – has put Valenciennes top of Ligue 1 for the first time since 1978.

Winning starts
Nancy also impressed, winning 2-0 at UEFA Cup contenders Stade Rennais FC with strikes from Marc-Antoine Fortuné and Youssouf Hadji. A single goal from Lilian Compan earned promoted Caen their victory at home to OGC Nice. And Laurent Blanc celebrated his first outing as a head coach, overseeing Bordeaux's 1-0 success over RC Lens. David Bellion made the difference.

Stalemate
The four other games ended in draws, including RC Strasbourg's goalless affair with Olympique de Marseille. Last season's second-placed club had Boudewijn Zenden on display but they were unable to overcome promoted Strasbourg. It also finished 0-0 between Paris Saint-Germain FC and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, and between Lille and FC Lorient. AS Saint-Etienne took a point after sharing two goals with hosts AS Monaco FC. The action continues on Sunday when champions Olympique Lyonnais entertain AJ Auxerre and FC Metz visit Le Mans UC 72.