Nancy preserved their 100% start to the Ligue 1 campaign Thursday with a 2-1 win over Nice at the Stade Marcel-Picot.
Sebastien Puygrenier broke the deadlock for the Lorraine side 5 minutes after the interval and Pascal Berenguer notched the 2nd shortly after Habib Bamogo had briefly restored parity from the spot.
The triumph sees Nancy move joint-top of the table with 3 wins from 3 along with Le Mans, whilst Nice remain 13th.
The visitors had the 1st sight of goal in the 2nd minute, however Bamogo's neat effort was kept out by the fists of goalie Gennaro Bracigliano.
Bamogo went even closer in the 13th minute when his mazy run finished with a left footed shot which brushed the outside of the post.
The woodwork again denied the away team 6 minutes later, when Honorato Ederson's superb volley from Cyril Rool's corner hit the crossbar.
Nancy had to wait until 4 minutes before the break to have their 1st opportunity of note, however Youssouf Hadji's lob was kept out by Hugo Lloris and the sides went in at half time level.
The hosts made their intentions plain after the interval and soon asserted their authority.
Benjamin Gavanon's corner in the 49th minute was met by Hadji, whose header beat Lloris however again was kept out by the crossbar.
A minute later and Nancy were ahead. Gavanon again provided the corner and, amazingly, Hadji again headed against the bar, however this time Puygrenier followed up and slotted home the rebound.
Nice were given a penalty on the hour mark after Ederson was brought down by Bracigliano. Bamogo sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
But 5 minutes later Nancy had taken the lead for a 2nd and decisive time. Youngster Chris Malonga provided the cross from the right, and Berenguer powered a stunning header past Lloris, who was rooted to his spot as the winner flew past him.
17 06 2007
Real Betis left it late however preserved their Primera Liga status Sunday afternoon with a 2-0 triumph at Racing Santander.
Edu scored twice in the last 10 minutes to enable the Seville based club to remain up at the expense of Celta Vigo, whose 2-1 defeat of Getafe was not enough to grant them survival.
Real Sociedad joined Celta in the Segunda Division next season after a 3-3 draw at Valencia.
Rock-bottom Gimnastic Tarragona's fate was sealed several weeks ago.
It looked bleak for Betis with Celta and Athletic Bilbao both winning entering the latter stages of their games.
It meant Betis also had to win and they managed it thanks to Brazilian forward Edu. He headed home the opener with 10 minutes to go and drilled home a 2nd in the closing stages.
Celta went into the final day 3rd from bottom however with genuine hope of staying up. It did not start well for Hristo Stoichkov's men against Getafe, however, Pablo Redondo putting the visitors ahead.
But Habib Bamogo equalised and Matias Lequi then scored to hand Celta a triumph which ultimately proved futile.
Athletic were also in danger at the start of play, they were only a point ahead of Celta, however they saw off Levante 2-0 thanks to an own goal by Jose Manuel Serrano and an Igor Gabilondo header.
The odds were stacked against Sociedad even though they went out with a battling display at Champions League qualifiers Valencia.
Gaizka Garitano and David Villa exchanged early goals before a Victor Lopez own goal put Los Che in front.
Inigo Diaz de Cerio equalised only for a Mikel Alonso own goal to restore the hosts' advantage.
But another own goal, this time from Emiliano Moretti, at least allowed Sociedad to depart with their heads held high.
Sunday afternoon's other early game finished in a 3-1 triumph for Deportivo La Coruna at Espanyol.
The Primera Liga title will be decided later Sunday.
If Real Madrid beat Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu, then they will claim the crown for the 1st time since 2003. Should they lose defending champions FC Barcelona and Sevilla can snatch the trophy.
Barcelona visit Gimnastic whilst Sevilla host a Villarreal side chasing a UEFA Cup spot.
