LOSC Lille Métropole returned to the top of Ligue 1 after a 5-0 defeat of ten-man AC Arles-Avignon.

Gervinho's 13th and 14th league goals of the season put the hosts in the driving seat before Mathieu Debuchy's penalty (49). Arles' woes were compounded when Emmanuel Corrèze was sent off (58) as Yohan Cabaye and David Rozehnal rounded off the scoring.

The victory takes Lille back to the summit, provisionally at least, until Olympique de Marseille attempt to reclaim top spot with three points against visitors AJ Auxerre on Sunday.

Stade Rennais FC missed the chance to keep in touch with Paris Saint-Germain FC − who moved level on points with third-placed Olympique Lyonnias thanks to a 3-1 win against Valenciennes FC − after sharing a 0-0 draw with FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

AS Nancy-Lorraine will drop into the bottom three if SM Caen win at OGC Nice on Sunday, due to their 1-0 loss to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. RC Lens' survival hopes also suffered a serious setback when they conceded two late goals in losing 3-2 against FC Lorient. The northern club are eight points adrift of safety with five matches remaining.

Photo gallery