Kim puts leaders on way to victory

PARIS, France -- Surprise French league leaders Nancy stayed out in front with a 2-0 defeat of St Etienne, with Brazilian striker Kim scoring his third goal in five games.

Champions Lyon continued to stutter, but battled back from two goals down to beat Le Mans 3-2, notching three goals in a seven-minute burst.

After Kim's 11th minute opener for Nancy, Marc-Antoine Fortune wrapped up the leaders' victory five minutes from time.

With 16 points Nancy have a two-point lead over Valenciennes and Bordeaux, with Monaco another point away, followed by Lyon on 12.

Bordeaux, who under new boss Laurent Blanc, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester United center-back, have made an impressive start.

They beat Monaco 2-1 at home with goals from Marouane Chamakh and Brazilian Wendel opening up a 2-0 lead before another Brazilian, Nene scored a last minute consolation for the principality team.

Blanc, whose side put one over their former boss - the Brazilian Ricardo who is now in charge of Monaco - said he was satisfied so far.

"We can always do better but to have 14 points from 21 possible, I think that's good. It could be better," he said.

Six-time champions Lyon, who have dominated French football in recent years, looked to be heading for a first home loss of the season after a brace from Benin midfielder Stephane Sessegnon gave Le Mans a shock lead.

In the space of seven second-half minutes, Lyon completely turned the game on its head.

Sidney Govou started the comeback on 70 minutes, taking a pass from Brazilian midfielder Juninho before foxing center-back Clement Pinault and then shooting past Yohan Pele in the Le Mans goal.

Five minutes later, France forward Karim Benzema headed home a free-kick from the inspirational Juninho.

And on 77 minutes the turnaround was complete as Benzema climbed highest to win the ball in the air from a Juninho corner, with Czech striker Milan Baros mopping up the loose ball and shooting home.

Having started the season with 10 points from their first four matches, Le Mans have now lost three in a row.

Bordeaux are third, behind Valenciennes, who drew 0-0 at home to bottom of the table Metz, on goal difference.

Former Arsenal and Lyon striker Sylvain Wiltord made his first start for Rennes but failed to score as they drew 2-2 at home to Lille.

Toulouse beat lowly Auxerre 2-0 at home, Lorient drew 0-0 at Strasbourg while Caen and Sochaux shared a 2-2 draw. E-mail to a friend