Lyon extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 12 points with a 1-0 win at Troyes.
After a frustrating first half Gerard Houllier's men eventually broke the deadlock after 76 minutes through Tiago, and held on for a victory that takes them one step closer to the title.
Lille drew 1-1 with Auxerre in the battle between third and fourth, to ensure that the competition for UEFA Champions League places will go right down to the wire.
Peter Odemwingie fired Lille ahead after 22 minutes, but Peguy Luyindula responded just six minutes later for Auxerre.
At the other end of the table Sochaux eased their relegation fears with a comfortable 3-1 victory over bottom club Ajaccio.
Guiranne Ndaw (17) and Beli-Moumouni Dagano (28) gave Sochaux a two-goal lead, and although Fabien Laurenti (64) pulled one back, the game was settled by Santos Weldon's stoppage time strike.
Struggling Metz also lost 1-0 at home to Lens, Pierre-Alain Frau converting a penalty in the 27th minute.
Nice piled the pressure on Starsbourg with a 3-1 win at Minicipal Du Ray. Two goals in the space of a minute from Florian Jarjat (62) and Mamadou Bagayoko (63) stunned Strasbourg, and Sammy Traore (90) grabbed a third after Pascal Johansen (74) had briefly raised the visitors' hopes.
Marseille picked up three points on their travels courtesy of a 3-1 win at Nantes. Mamadou Niang (25 and 75) and Toifilou Maoulida (51) netted for L'OM, with Dennis Oliech (57) on the scoresheet for Nantes.
In the day's final game, Bafetimbi Gomis (83) rescued a late point for St Etienne against Monaco, who had gone in front through Ernesto Chevanton (58).
After a frustrating first half Gerard Houllier's men eventually broke the deadlock after 76 minutes through Tiago, and held on for a victory that takes them one step closer to the title.
Lille drew 1-1 with Auxerre in the battle between third and fourth, to ensure that the competition for UEFA Champions League places will go right down to the wire.
Peter Odemwingie fired Lille ahead after 22 minutes, but Peguy Luyindula responded just six minutes later for Auxerre.
At the other end of the table Sochaux eased their relegation fears with a comfortable 3-1 victory over bottom club Ajaccio.
Guiranne Ndaw (17) and Beli-Moumouni Dagano (28) gave Sochaux a two-goal lead, and although Fabien Laurenti (64) pulled one back, the game was settled by Santos Weldon's stoppage time strike.
Struggling Metz also lost 1-0 at home to Lens, Pierre-Alain Frau converting a penalty in the 27th minute.
Nice piled the pressure on Starsbourg with a 3-1 win at Minicipal Du Ray. Two goals in the space of a minute from Florian Jarjat (62) and Mamadou Bagayoko (63) stunned Strasbourg, and Sammy Traore (90) grabbed a third after Pascal Johansen (74) had briefly raised the visitors' hopes.
Marseille picked up three points on their travels courtesy of a 3-1 win at Nantes. Mamadou Niang (25 and 75) and Toifilou Maoulida (51) netted for L'OM, with Dennis Oliech (57) on the scoresheet for Nantes.
In the day's final game, Bafetimbi Gomis (83) rescued a late point for St Etienne against Monaco, who had gone in front through Ernesto Chevanton (58).
