Guingamp move top as French league sees red

In-form En Avant Guingamp clinched a convincing 3-0 home victory over Stade Rennes to lead the French first division on Saturday.

Elsewhere an incident-packed day produced no less than eight red cards, one of which was for Bastia striker Florian Maurice -- his second in three games since the start of the season.

Bastia's 1-0 victory over Monaco was also marred by a brawl which stopped play for five minutes and a further red card for Monaco's Adbelrahmame Mazar.

Nantes were another to suffer red cards as they slipped to a 4-2 defeat by Sochaux -- ending the match with nine men after defender Mauro Cetto and midfielder Mathieu Berson were sent off in the 34th and 74th minutes.

"With 10 players we could have won," said Nantes midfielder Olivier Quint. "But down to nine it was just an impossible mission.

"Berson did not do anything. I knew the referee was poor but I could not imagine he was so bad."

Promoted Le Havre will have to learn how to behave in the elite as they too finished with only nine players as William Mocquet and Pierre Ducrocq were sent off for second bookable offences. The Normandy side still managed to hold on for a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg.

Saturday's rash of dismissals means there have been 19 players red carded so far this season compared to only two at the same stage last season.

Guingamp had only two players booked as they crushed Stade Rennes with striker Florent Malouda netting twice in the 33rd and 86th minutes. Christophe Leroux was also on target for the Brittany side.

Guingamp are on seven points, level with Girondins Bordeaux who snatched a 1-0 success away at Montpellier despite playing the second half with only 10 men after David Jemmali was sent off. Alexei Smertin scored the game's only goal after 20 minutes.

"The heat was terrible and we had to make a lot of effort," said Bordeaux coach Elie Baup. "But at least we got three points. It's comforting."

Surprise package Nice, promoted last season, upset Lille 3-0 to move up to third position while a late goal from Djibrill Cisse handed AJ Auxerre a 2-1 win at troubled Troyes.

French champions Olympique Lyon drew 1-1 at Olympique Marseille on Friday.