Three-way tie in France after Brest win

Unfancied Brest snapped a three-game winless streak on Tuesday with a 4-1 thumping of Lens to go to the top of the French table with title holders Marseille and Lille.

Brest, only promoted last season, have been a revelation this season but their recent run of poor form suggested they had started to run out of steam.

However, Bruno Grougi bagged two goals from free kicks and set up further efforts for Romain Poyet and Paul Baysse with Eduardo claiming a consolation in freezing conditions at a Francis Le Ble stadium where they remain unbeaten to date.

The match had had to be abandoned at half-time on Saturday owing to the wintry weather enveloping much of France.

The win moved Brest – who had lost two and drwan one of their last three outings – onto 25 points from 15 games, behind Marseille and Lille by just four goals and one goal respectively.

Lens, who have generally struggled since they won the title 12 years ago, are now joint second bottom with Caen with only three wins so far for 14 points.

On Wednesday, Marseille, with a game in hand over Brest, will look to move three points clear with victory over Rennes in another rescheduled game.

Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Montpellier enabled Didier Deschamps’ side to inch above previous leaders Lille on goal difference.

Saint-Etienne, 12th and without a win in seven league games, travel to 14th-placed Valenciennes in another re-arranged game on Wednesday.