Les Parisiennes hold their nerve in Nantes

With three wins from three games, just one goal conceded ten scored, the Parisian women's team have made a perfect start to their league campaign. Away to Nantes, who are new to the top flight this season, the Parisiennes' aim was simple: to record a fourth win in as many games to keep level on points with Lyon, who had beaten Dijon earlier in the afternoon.

Staged at La Beaujoire in front of a large crowd (16,800), the match had all the makings of a banana skin for the white-clad Parisiennes. Lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Mary Earps in goal, Karchaoui in midfield and Elimbi Gilbert on the left flank, Les Rouge et Bleue were unfazed by the scenery and opened the scoring quickly.

Karchaoui found Leuchter, who laid the ball off to Tara Elimbi Gilbert, in a superb one-touch sequence. Titie then whipped in a low, slightly cut-back cross and Geyoro gladly turned home her third goal of the season, side=footing past a beaten home 'keeper (0-1, 3').

The Parisiennes were in front in terms of experience and control, but the chances were not flowing and Fabrice Abriel's side remained vulnerable to an equaliser. Nantes tried a few counter-attacks, but to no avail, and it was only from a set-piece that the home side looked dangerous. Mary Earps saw a direct free-kick from Manon Uffren crash back off the cross-bar(33') and the capital club remained in the lead.

The Parisian goalkeeper was put to the test in the second half when Gago tried her luck from close range, but the Nantes player's effort was slightly off-centre and Earps made two fine saves (54'). Nantes finally lost the physical battle in the second half, the Parisiennes remaining solid and in al areas. Diarra (87') and Samoura (90'+4) could even have added to the scoreline, but Burns won out on both occasions.

So that's four wins now for the players from the capital club, but this one, against a side that will cause plenty of sides problems this season, was the toughest do far this season. The Parisiennes now have twelve points and are full of confidence heading into the derby against Fleury and an international break that will culminate in the clash in Lyon on 3 November.