Lyon continue to lead the way after defeating Le Mans, while Bordeaux remain on their heels.
Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille triumph as Toulouse slip up
Lyon continue to lead the way in Ligue 1 after defeating Le Mans, while Bordeaux remain on their heels after success against Nancy.
Lyon took advantage of Marseille's inactivity to open up a three-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 courtesy of a 3-1 victory away to
Le Mans.
The highly-rated Karim Benzema, who continues to be linked with a host of Europe's top clubs, bagged a brace either side of the interval.
Former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute with ex-Liverpool forward Anthony Le Tallec grabbing Le Mans' consolation 12 minutes from time.
Bordeaux have climbed into second spot but they left it desperately late to secure all three points with a 1-0 success at home to struggling
Nancy.
The relegation-threatened visitors looked as though they would hold out for a hard-earned point, only for Marouane Chamakh to finally break through in the 90th minute.
Lille remain in the hunt back in fourth place as they found the net either side of the break to triumph 2-0 at lowly
Nantes.
Michel Bastos fired home from the penalty spot in added time at the end of the first half before Robert Vittek doubled their advantage before the hour-mark.
Off the pace
Toulouse have slipped off the pace after they failed to break down relegation-threatened
Caen in a stalemate away from home.
Bottom club
Le Havre still look destined for relegation despite a shock 1-0 success away to
Monaco, only their second win on their travels all season.
Massamba Sambou found the net for Le Havre 15 minutes from time and Monaco were reduced to 10 men in the dying seconds as Dario Simic was dismissed.
Lorient moved into the top half of the table courtesy of a 3-1 success over
Grenoble, who are in danger of being dragged down into the relegation fight.
Kevin Gameiro, Gabriel Obertan and Morgan Amalfitano were the scorers for the visitors, with Grenoble's response coming from Nassim Akrour.
Jean Claude Darcheville grabbed the opener inside 60 seconds for
Valenciennes against
Auxerre before adding the second from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.
