The game of the day in France’s le Championnat saw defending champions Lyon turn over league leaders Auxerre 3-0, with Brazilian Juninho Pernamucano notching a superb hat-trick, which included two free kicks.
This means Nice, despite being held to a 0-0 stalemate at Nantes, are the surprise leaders, albeit on goal difference.
Paris St Germain and Marseille both kept in touch at the top with narrow victories.
PSG won 2-1 at bottom team Troyes with Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho among the scorers, while Marseille overcame Strasbourg 1-0 at Stade Velodrome, courtesy of a first half strike from another Brazilian, Lucio Fernandao.
Sochaux kept up their good start to the season, seeing off Bordeaux 2-0, Mickael Pagis the matchwinner with both goals.
Monaco and Lille fought out a 1-1 draw at the Stade Louis II, both goals coming in the second half. Ludovic Giuly put the home side in front after 66 minutes, but the lead lasted just six minutes, Matt Moussilou levelling.
Lens also drew 1-1 at home to Ajaccio, a 83rd minute penalty from Antoine Sibierski denying Ajaccio the spoils after Herve Alicarte had shot them into a first half lead.
An eventful game at Guingamp saw an own goal and two sendings off during the home side’s 3-1 win over Montpellier. The visitors had Rudy Riou and Nenad Dzodic sent off and Guillaume Moullec put through his own goal.
Bastia enjoyed a dream start on their way to a 3-1 win at home to Le Havre, scoring twice within the first four minutes through Frederic Mendy and Florian Maurice.
At the bottom, Rennes clocked a much-needed win 3-1 at Sedan. On target were Frederic Piquionne in the first half, and Toifilou Maoulida and Makhtar N’Diaye in the second.
