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.
05 08 2007
France's UEFA Champions League contenders Marseille and Toulouse both failed to fire as the 2007/2008 domestic season got underway on Saturday.
Last season's runners up Marseille were held to a 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Strasbourg, whilst Toulouse, who will face English giants Liverpool in their qualifier to Europe's top club competition, slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Valenciennces.
Inspite of having his high profile summer transfers of Gael Givet, Benoit Cheyrou, Boudewijn Zenden, Djibril Cisse and Karim Ziani on the pitch, Albert Emon's Marseille side struggled to break down the home team. Midfielder Ziani, who was brought from Sochaux to fill the gap left by Franck Ribery's transfer to Bayern Munich, was the only new recruit to show glimpses of class.
"To be satisfied with an away draw, why not? However, we cannot be satisfied with the rhythm of the match," mentioned Emon. "We did not triumph good balls in midfield to feed our forwards and up front there is some poor communication, because we did not get 3 or 4 passes between our strikers."
Toulouse were undone by Valenciennces forward Johan Audel, who hit the French season's 1st hat trick. Audel opened the scoring in the 6th minute for Valenciennes, who finished 17th last season, only one place above the relegation zone.
Toulouse levelled through midfielder Nicholas Dieuze, however Audel went on to complete his hat trick.
Meanwhile, Rennes lost 2-0 to Nancy. Midfielder Marc-Antoine Fortune silenced the home supporters on the 36th minute with Youssouf Hadji doubling the scoreline only 4 minutes later.
Rennes, who finished 4th in the 2006/07 season, will hope their display levels pick up if they are to mount a serious challenge in the UEFA Cup this season.
Paul le Guen's Paris Saint-Germain were dominated throughout their match with French Cup holders Sochaux in an uninspiring 0-0 draw at the Parc des Princes, inspite of forward Pauleta, last season's leading goal scorer, hitting the post on 3 occasions. However, it needed goalie Mickael Landreau to put be in top form to keep the vistors at bay for a share of the points.
Laurent Blanc made his managerial debut with Bordeaux, and his side beat veteran coach Guy Roux's Lens 1-0. Former Man Utd and Nice player David Bellion's 30th minute goal went unanswered as Blanc's Bordeaux, who will compete in this season's UEFA Cup, got their campaign off to an ideal start.
Champions Lyon are in action Sunday when they kick start their title defence at home against Auxerre.
