Second-placed Montpellier continued their fairy tale title charge while Olympique de Marseille moved back into contention on the back of a 5-1 home triumph over Valenciennes.

At the turn of the year, Les Girondins de Bordeaux enjoyed a nine-point lead over their nearest rivals, but just four games into 2010 that lead has been cut to just three points. Bordeaux, who take on Greek side Olympiakos in the Champions League Last-16 later this month, were comprehensively beaten 4-2 at the Stade de Route de Lorient on Saturday by a Stade Rennais outfit that made the most of their chances.

Blanc: 'Incredible errors'

"After 12 minutes, two incredible errors allowed our opponents to lead 2-0 - they could hardly believe their eyes," claimed a bewildered Blanc after the match. "We still thought we could do it at half-time, and even at 3-2 I thought we could come back. But you did get the impression we would concede a goal every time Rennes attacked."

In-form playmaker Sylvain Marveaux opened the scoring for Rennes after just four minutes before earning a penalty, dispatched by France international teammate Jimmy Briand in the 17th minute. France’s most miserly defence was opened up again just three minutes into the second half when Guinea striker Ismaël Bangoura slammed home goal number three. To their credit however, the champions mounted a spirited comeback and goals to Yoan Gouffran (64) and Brazilian free-kick wizard Geraldo Wendel (69) appeared to have fired them back into the contest before Rennes’ Ghanaian top scorer Asamoah Gyan came off the bench to end the contest with a wonderful solo goal (78).

Montpellier keep it rolling

At the start of the campaign, promoted Montpellier were considered favourites for a relegation dog fight but are proving themselves week-in, week-out to be Bordeaux’s most resilient title rivals. René Girard’s side made it four wins in a row on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over fellow promoted side Boulogne (Souleymane Camara 26, Victor-Hugo Montano 90+2).

Marseille and Grenoble both produced five-star performances in Week 23.

Ben Arfa brilliance

Just four days after qualifying for the League Cup final with a 2-1 extra-time win over Toulouse, Didier Deschamps’ OM defeated Valenciennes 5-1 at the Stade Vélodrome to move fifth thanks to an inspired performance from mercurial France winger Hatem Ben Arfa who had a hand in four of his side’s five goals. Argentine Lucho Gonzalez got the first (34) before Brandao (44), Benoït Cheyrou (53), Mathieu Valbuena (77’) and Mamadou Niang (90+2) completed the rout. Colombian Carlos Sanchez got Valenciennes lone goal in the 66th minute.

Meanwhile Grenoble belied their position at the foot of the table by registering just their second win of the season with a thumping 5-0 win over Auxerre.  Danijel Ljuboja (8) opened the scoring and Nassim Akrour (10, 41) and Daisuke Matsui (36, 53) did the rest.

In the capital, Lorient were another side getting in on the goals. The Brittany outfit condemned Paris Saint-Germain to a fourth consecutive league defeat thanks to first half strikes from Marama Vahirua (pen.24), Kevin Gameiro (26) and Morgan Amalfitano (37). After the match, PSG president Robin Leproux promised ‘some harsh words’ after his side hit an ‘unacceptable’ season-low 15th place in the standings.

Struggling Lens and Saint-Etienne both earned important wins in their respective battles with Le Mans and Monaco, while Sochaux and Nancy drew 1-1, as did Nice and Lille. Toulouse and Lyon played out the only scoreless draw of the weekend.

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