Philippe Montanier

Real Betis bounced back from two straight defeats with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on a black night for La Liga which saw five red cards brandished in just four matches.

At the beginning of last month, young Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez scored a stunning goal from inside his own half in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Sociedad will be coached by Philippe Montanier next season after paying Valenciennes 500,000 euros to buy out the final year of his contract, the French first division side announced on Saturday.

Having overcome difficulties with the language barrier, Valenciennes' South Korean youngster Nam Tae-Hee has begun to play a central role in his side's battle to avoid relegation.

Kombouare - who had a distinguished playing career for PSG winning four trophies including the last time they won the league title in 1994 - is remembered with great affection at unfashionable Valenciennes where he guided them to the 2006 Second Division crown.

Auxerre capitalised on slip-ups by Lyon and Bordeaux to move into a clear lead at the top of the French league on Saturday.

League leaders Bordeaux and closest rivals Lyon will hope to restore French football's battered reputation on Saturday, as league action returns to focus minds away from World Cup controversy.

A huge week in French football continues on Friday when the country's two biggest clubs, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, meet in a re-arranged league fixture at the Stade Velodrome.

Valenciennes moved up to sixth in the French first division table after stunning Rennes 3-0 on Sunday, while Nice followed up their shock 4-1 win over Lyon last weekend by beating Le Mans 1-0.

Paris Saint-Germain put their swine flu woes behind them and recorded their first victory since the end of August by winning 4-1 at Sochaux in the French top flight on Sunday.

Paris Saint-Germain put their swine flu woes behind them and recorded their first victory since the end of August by winning 4-1 at Sochaux in the French top flight on Sunday.

Valenciennes moved up to sixth in the French first division table after stunning Rennes 3-0 on Sunday, while Nice followed up their shock 4-1 win over Lyon last weekend by beating Le Mans 1-0.