Montpellier Hérault SC returned to the top of Ligue 1 but it took a late strike by Olivier Giroud to secure victory against AS Saint-Étienne.

The French international grabbed the winner a minute from time to extend his league-best tally to 18 goals and lift his side a point above Paris Saint-Germain FC, who host FC Girondins de Bordeaux on Sunday.

Third-placed LOSC Lille Métropole are seven points back after a 3-0 defeat of Évian Thonon Gaillard FC, Eden Hazard scoring from the penalty spot (36) before Dimitri Payet and Benoît Pedretti added second-half strikes. Olympique Lyonnais are up to fourth after Dejan Lovren (3) and Bafétimbi Gomis (65) were on target in a 2-1 defeat of struggling FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

However, Olympique de Marseille, who face FC Bayern München on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, stretched their winless streak to eight matches. Despite Charles Kaboré's first-half dismissal, André Ayew put the visitors ahead (56) only for OGC Nice to level through Fabián Monzón's penalty (76).

Elsewhere, AS Nancy-Lorraine beat Stade Brestois 29 1-0, Valenciennes won by the same score against Stade Rennais FC and AC Ajaccio drew 1-1 with FC Lorient.