PARIS: Alassane Plea grabbed a hat-trick as surprise Ligue 1 leaders Nice continued their terrific start to the season with a thrilling 4-2 victory at promoted Metz on Sunday.

It was a fifth successive win for Nice as they moved on 26 points, four points clear of second-placed Monaco, while Metz have now conceded 14 goals in their last three home matches.

Earlier, on-loan duo Henri Saivet and Jordan Veretout scored their first St Etienne goals since returning to France from Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively in a 2-0 win away to Caen.

On Saturday, Lyon’s alarming slump in form continued on Saturday as they lost 3-1 at home to Guingamp. After finishing second last season, Lyon is down in 10th place and trail leaders Nice by 13 points.

Elsewhere, Toulouse missed the chance to move up to third place after drawing 0-0 away to eighth-placed Angers and winger Kamil Grosicki scored twice in the second half as sixth-placed Rennes rallied to win 2-1 at Nantes.

Portugal’s Euro 2016 hero Eder netted Lille’s second goal in a 2-1 victory over Bastia, Bordeaux were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Nancy and Dijon grabbed a stoppage-time winner to beat Lorient 1-0.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2016