Montpellier brought to heel by Lille

Montpellier Hérault SC failed to earn the draw they required to take over at the top of Ligue 1 as LOSC Lille Métropole moved within two points of the summit with a 4-1 triumph over their title rivals.

With leaders FC Girondins de Bordeaux having lost the League Cup final to Olympique de Marseille on Saturday, all eyes turned to Montpellier and Les Pailladins appeared on course for a point when Souleymane Camara (46) cancelled out Gervinho's first-half opener. However, two goals in five minutes courtesy of Yohan Cabaye's penalty and Pierre-Alain Frau rocked the visitors before substitute Larsen Touré added further gloss 11 minutes from time.

Stade Rennais FC and FC Lorient continued their quests for European football next season with comprehensive victories. Seventh-placed Rennes were 3-1 winners at second-bottom Le Mans UC 72 thanks to two goals in the final 16 minutes by Jimmy Briand while Lorient, a position back in eighth, strode past AS Saint-Etienne 4-0 with Kevin Gameiro on target twice.

There were plenty more goals elsewhere with AS Nancy-Lorraine the day's most prolific side as they defeated RC Lens 5-1, Issiar Dia helping himself to an 18-minute hat-trick either side of the break. Paris Saint-Germain FC were also handsome home winners − 3-0 against ten-man US Boulogne − and OGC Nice moved 12 points clear of danger with a 2-0 triumph at Toulouse FC, who had Fodé Mansaré (57) dismissed.