Bordeaux vs. Monaco

As is often the case in such encounters, chances were few and far between in the early stages, although Stephane Ruffier showed just why he is one of France's most exciting young goalkeeping talents as he saved from Yoan Gouffran following a back-heeled Wendel assist. Wendel himself then forced a save out of Ruffier after being played in by Yoann Gourcuff.

Monaco had the league's top scorer, Nenê, in their line-up, but offered little going forward in the first period as the hosts dominated possession and created the bulk of the chances. When Guy Lacombe's side did go on the offensive at the start of the second-half, they were hit by a swift home counter-attack which ended with Jaroslav Plasil's shot being blocked by Sebastien Puygrenier.

Bordeaux got the breakthrough they deserved just after the hour mark. A Wendel free-kick was headed towards goal by Marouane Chamakh, and while Ruffier made the save, he could do nothing to prevent Marc Planus converting the follow-up.

Substitutes Fernando Cavenaghi and Jussie missed chances to kill off the visitors in the last ten minutes as Monaco pushed men forward in search of an equaliser.

Monaco had seriously dented Marseille's title aspirations with a win at the Stade Vélodrome a few weeks ago, but Bordeaux showed that taking three points from the Gironde is an altogether different challenge.