Alain Perrin's Saint-Etienne broke their seven match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Nancy as PSG, Marseille, and Bordeaux all failed to capitalise on Lyon's goalless draw in a weather affected Ligue 1.
In Alain Perrin's third game in charge, Saint-Etienne looked like a completely different team. They started the game brightly with a new-look 4-3-3 formation.
Paulo Machado made Saint-Etienne's early enthusiasm count on eight minutes. The Portuguese midfield man curled in a superb free-kick from close to 30 yards out, for his first goal of the season.
Bafetimbi Gomis, who has struggled for any sort of form this season, missed a pair of chances to increase the lead in the first half hour. With only two goals to his name this season, Gomis looks ill at ease on le carré vert.
On 43 minutes, David Gigliotti added a second for Les Verts with a deft poke after a fine save from Nancy 'keeper Gennaro Bracigliano.
Saint-Etienne should have increased their lead to three on 55 minutes. Bracigliano hauled down Gigliotti in the box and was promptly given his marching orders, only for France International, Gomis to skew his spot kick wide, and further dent his fragile confidence.
Elsewhere in weather-beaten France, Toulouse parked the proverbial bus in front of their goal to stop Marseille. l'OM huffed and puffed, but their lack of invention and harmony in the final third left them with only a point.
After PSG's great result against Lyon last week, they went down to a Bruno Cheyrou goal at Rennes. The good form continued for Rennes. After their draw against Bordeaux last week they extended their unbeaten run to 14 games and go second in Ligue 1.
Rennes look increasingly like worthy contenders to put pressure on Lyon, while pre-season favourites for that role, PSG and Marseille, flounder in a mire of inconsistency.
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