France round-up: Lyon stumble suits Nice

Against all odds 
The newly-promoted side continued to defy the odds with another resilient performance at the Roudourou stadium, but they were helped in their task as their nearest rivals both dropped points.

Lyon tamed 
Olympique Lyonnais's challenge for top spot took a blow as they lost 1-0 at FC Nantes Atlantique. Marama Vahirua's 19th-minute goal put the home side ahead in an often ill-tempered game, and Lyon's chances were further dented by Mahamadou Diarra's dismissal 34 minutes into the first half. Nantes goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau none the less had to make a number of fine saves to keep his team ahead.

Auxerre cling on 
Meanwhile, AJ Auxerre had to settle for second place after a 1-1 draw at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. Brazilian striker Francileudo Santos gave the hosts the lead moments before half-time, but Zimbabwean forward Benjamin Mwaruwari levelled for Auxerre 20 minutes into the second half, eleven minutes after his teammate Jean-Alain Boumsong had been sent off.

PSG in command 
Paris Saint-Germain FC moved up to fourth position with a comfortable 3-0 win against RC Strasbourg. Fabrice Fiorèse opened the scoring on nine minutes before Argentinian striker Martin Cardetti underlined the home superiority with a goal in either half. RC Lens are in fifth after John Utaka's last-minute effort edged them past Stade Rennais FC at the Félix-Bollaert stadium.

Leboeuf penalty
Olympique de Marseille won 2-1 against FC Girondins de Bordeaux in today's early game. A penalty from former French international Franck Leboeuf put the home side in the driving seat after 16 minutes but Bordeaux replied through a 25-metre free-kick from Portuguese striker Pauleta, who had earlier missed from the spot.

Bakayoko strikes
Ivory Coast forward Ibrahima Bakayoko decided the game on 76 minutes, finishing off some good work by the Brazilian Lucio Fernandão. To add to visiting coach Elie Baup's worries, Bordeaux defender David Sommeil was sent off five minutes from time.

Joy for Montpellier
In tonight's other games, Fodé Mansare's 70th-minute strike secured Montpellier Hérault SC a 1-0 home success against Lille OSC, while ES Troyes Aube Champagne still await their first win after a 1-1 home draw with Le Havre AC. CS Sedan-Ardennes came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at home to AS Monaco.