Lyon went top of Ligue 1 on Saturday after coming back from a goal down to defeat Toulouse 2-1, while Marseille suffered their first defeat of the campaign, a 3-2 loss at Valenciennes coming just four days before a Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
Lyon are a point ahead of champions Bordeaux, while Marseille are in third spot, three points behind the leaders.
Moussa Sissoko gave Toulouse a ninth-minute lead, before second-half strikes from Yannis Tafer and Bafetimbi Gomis gave Lyon the three points and maintained their unbeaten start.
Marseille twice surrendered the lead at Valenciennes.
Former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes started his first match for Marseille since his summer switch from Valencia and the former Spanish international star opened the scoring in the 13th minute after good work by Lucho and Brandao.
Milan Bisevac leveled for Valenciennes seven minutes later after Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda could only parry a sharp drive from Rafael.
Mamadou Niang restored Marseille’s lead in the 22nd minute after a corner from Benoit Cheyrou wasn’t cleared.
In the 28th minute Valenciennes, who thumped Sochaux 5-2 last weekend, were level for the second time when David Ducourtioux planted a diving header past Mandanda.
The match looked to be heading for a draw until Brazilian defender Rafael headed Valenciennes’ winner seven minutes from time.
Unheralded Montpellier share third spot with Marseille after Nenad Dzodic headed a 78th-minute winner at home to promoted Boulogne for a 1-0 win.
Paris Saint-Germain lost further ground in the title race when they drew 1-1 at Lorient.
Arnold Mvuemba gave Lorient a 40th-minute lead, but Guillaume Hoarau leveled for PSG in first-half injury-time.
Monaco are just behind PSG in seventh place on goal difference after losing 2-1 at home to Saint Etienne. Gonzalo Bergessio scored a last-minute winner.
Hapless Grenoble suffered their seventh defeat in seven outings, a 2-0 defeat to Auxerre and are rooted to the bottom of the table.
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