Last season's runners-up of French football league, Monaco claimed a welcome win at home over Evian, while league minnows Guingamp triumphed as a visiting side.
Before Saturday's 10th round of the French top-flight, three wins from nine had left Monaco in the bottom half of the table, reports Xinhua.
Thank to a penalty inside the first minute from Joao Moutinho and a goal from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco in the second half, the big-spending team finally registered their fourth win to get some form back.
Meanwhile Guingamp, who are at the bottom of Ligue 1 for a long time, beat Lille 2-1 to become the first side to score at the Stade Pierre Mauroy this season.
Goals from Claudio Beauvue in stoppage of first half and Ronnie Schwartz in the 57th minute were enough for them to take all three points, despite Rio Mavuba pulling one back in the 78th minute.
The other two games on Saturday saw Rennes held Metz 0-0 and Nantes tied Reims at home 1-1.