Bordeaux out in front once more

FC Girondins de Bordeaux once again head the pack in Ligue 1 after a 3-1 comeback victory over LOSC Lille Métropole, though Montpellier Hérault SC trail only on goal difference following their 2-1 defeat of Valenciennes FC.

Dumped out of the UEFA Europa League by Liverpool FC on Thursday, Lille looked set to bounce back in style when Eden Hazard raced through on goal and registered with 24 minutes gone at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists Bordeaux responded shortly before the break, however, Michaël Ciani (40) crashing in a volley following a partially cleared free-kick.

Laurent Blanc's men then took the lead through Jussiê's penalty on 66 minutes, after Ricardo Costa had been shown red for his challenge on Marouane Chamakh, and Yoann Gourcuff made sure of the result when he applied the finishing touch to Wendel's centre 14 minutes from time.

Defeat damaged Lille's championship prospects and they now lie five points off the pace in fourth, while Montpellier kept the pressure on Bordeaux by overcoming Valenciennes at home. The promoted team have contested one match more than the titleholders yet continue to prove tenacious challengers, Victor Montaño putting them ahead after five minutes and Joris Marveaux doubling the advantage close to the hour mark, before Fahid Ben Khalfallah's consolation for the visitors.

The top two will be wary of Olympique de Marseille, who moved into fourth and within three points of the summit via a 2-1 defeat of Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade Vélodrome. Taye Taiwo (81) scored the decisive goal moments after Bafétimbi Gomis had cancelled out Charles Kaboré's opener (67) for OM.