Troubled former giants Lyon beat Angers 1-0 in Friday's Ligue 1 opening game to climb level on points with Paris Saint-Germain, who lead only on goal difference.
Condemned to relegation due to debts two months ago before a reprieve on appeal, Lyon won their first three matches, lost to Rennes in the last round, but bounced back on Friday with a dominant but narrow win.
Champions PSG remain top but have a tricky away game at Marseille on Sunday. At the same time, Lille, on 10 points, could surplant the European champions, if only briefly, with a victory away to Lens a day earlier.
American midfielder Tanner Tessmann broke the deadlock for Lyon on 65 minutes when a corner was poorly cleared, clipping the ball home from the six-yard line.
Lyon dominated the game and should have been further ahead before two late saves from their goalkeeper, Dominik Greif, secured the three points.
Such a scenario seemed unlikely in late June when the seven-time French champions, riddled with huge debts, were demoted to Ligue 2 due to their financial situation despite having finished sixth.
Rayan Cherki joined Manchester City for €36.5 million and Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri left for Leeds United, meaning that Slovak Greif took over between the sticks.