Paris: Lille is top of the French league, undefeated and with the fewest goals conceded, after beating northern rival Lens 4-0 to move two points above defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG has won five straight games but is playing catchup after losing its first two, and still has to play twice against Christophe Galtier's well-drilled Lille which places a high emphasis on teamwork. Although Lens had right back Jonathan Gradit sent off in the 57th minute, it was already losing 2-0 at this point after goals from Turkey veteran Burak Yilmaz and attacking midfielder Jonathan Bamba.
France forward Jonathan Ikon made it 3-0 in the 69th and, after Lens defender Clement Michelin was red carded soon after, Turkey midfielder Yusuf Yazici made it 4-0 from Bamba's second assist.
Coach Patrick Vieira's Nice moved up to fourth place following a convincing 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne, which has dropped down to midtable after a positive start to the season. Midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou, forward Amine Gouiri and substitute Myziane Maolida scored for Nice. Earlier, Memphis Depay showed Barcelona just what it's missing by setting up all of Lyon's goals in a 3-2 win at struggling Strasbourg.
The Netherlands forward was wanted by Barca coach and countryman Ronald Koeman. He was close to joining during the recent transfer window, but the Spanish giant needed to sell a player before buying him and failed to do so. Barcelona was poor in attack when losing 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday.