Nancy poised to pounce as PSG plunge

AS Nancy-Lorraine kept their fading title hopes alive with a 2-0 win against AS Monaco FC but Paris Saint-Germain FC's slump continued at Stade Rennais FC.

Early strikes
Nancy began the day ten points adrift of leaders Olympique Lyonnais, who host an FC Girondins de Bordeaux side sitting three points behind them in second spot at the Stade de Gerland on Sunday, and they were given a helping hand in their pursuit of the top two by their visitors when François Modesto (6) scored an own goal and Serge Gakpe missed a penalty to level. An 18th-minute Youssef Hadji strike ensured Nancy opened up a six-point gap to fourth place Olympique de Marseille, who host AS Saint-Etienne on Sunday.

Pressured PSG
PSG's miserable form continued as they made it six league games without a win with a 2-0 defeat by Rennes, a result that leaves them outside the relegation zone only on goal difference. Mamadou Sakho's 43rd-minute own goal summed up their recent run and Jimmy Briand (50) ensured there would be no way back for Paul Le Guen's outfit. FC Sochaux-Montbéliard are now level on points with PSG thanks to a 2-1 win at Toulouse FC.

Erding double
Mevlüt Erding struck twice in the first 20 minutes and a late Achille Emana response was not enough to stop Sochaux leapfrogging their opponents. Bottom side FC Metz had only scored five goals in 14 away Ligue 1 matches before their trip to RC Strasbourg but second-half strikes from Cheikh Gueye, Cédric Barbosa and Momar N'Diaye bucked the trend and gave them a 3-2 victory.

Goalless games
The day's four other contests all ended goalless. OGC Nice and Le Mans UC 72 remain fifth and sixth due to their draw, FC Lorient are seventh and Valenciennes FC eighth after respective stalemates at SM Caen and at home to LOSC Lille Métropole, while AJ Auxerre and RC Lens moved a point nearer survival after their goalless encounter.