Ligue 1 wrap: Valenciennes, Sochaux score upset wins

Valenciennes caused a major boilover in Ligue 1 on Saturday with a 2-1 home victory over fourth-placed Lyon.

Despite being separated by 12 spots on the league table, the hosts at Stade Nungesser took the lead six minutes after half-time through a Milan Bisevac penalty after a foul on Gael Danic inside the area.

Gregory Pujol then doubled the lead for Philippe Montanier’s men in the 58th minute to give the home side more belief that an upset was on the cards.

Michel Bastos pulled a goal back for Lyon with 20 minutes remaining, but Valenciennes held on to secure three points that could be vital to their hopes of survival in the league.

Sochaux tore apart Stade Rennes 5-1 at the Stade Auguste Bonal in another stunning upset.

A Modibo Maiga brace, complemented by goals to Marvin Martin, Ideye Brown and Ryad Boudebouz saw off mid-table Sochaux, with Razak Boukari scoring the only goal for the visitors in the second half, prior to the sending off of Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez.

A Mevlut Erdinc brace helped Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-1 away win over Arles Avignon at Parc des Sports.

Saint-Etienne climbed above Toulouse in the standings with a 2-1 win over their mid-table rivals, courtesy of a first-half brace to Bakary Sako.

Caen moved level on points with Auxerre after they beat them 2-0 on Saturday in their relegation six-pointer, with Benjamin Rivet and Kandia Traore scoring for the promoted side.

A double in the space of eight second-half minutes to Kevin Gameiro handed Lorient a 2-0 triumph over Brest.