France round-up: PSG win raises the pressure

Two goals from Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho helped Paris Saint-Germain FC to a 3-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille, but AJ Auxerre retained top spot.

Six-game unbeaten run
After three consecutive victories and six games without defeat, PSG have 23 points, and are now just a point behind Auxerre, who beat Stade Rennais FC 1-0 in one of tonight's late games. Marseille slip to fifth place with 20 points.

Free-kick strike
Ronaldinho opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area. His low shot went through a forest of legs and crept inside Marseille goalkeeper Vedran Runje’s far post.

Marseille pay the penalty
Twelve minutes later, the FIFA World Cup winner doubled his team’s lead from the penalty spot after the referee had spotted a foul by Runje on PSG’s Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche.

Cardetti seals win
Argentinian striker Martin Cardetti sealed victory eight minutes from time, lobbing the ball over Runje after a quick counterattack as Marseille threw men forward in search of a way back into the game.

Kapo scores again
PSG had top spot for a mere two hours, as a 67th-minute goal from Olivier Kapo, who also scored in the midweek UEFA Champions League win at Arsenal FC, gave Auxerre victory against a Rennes side who slip back to the bottom of the table.

Nice held
OGC Nice, who were level on points with Auxerre before kick-off, lost ground after a goalless draw with RC Lens. Hardened by their experiences in the Champions League, the Lens defence held firm, even when Cyril Rool was sent off for a challenge on Adekanmi Olufade.

Lyon in form
Defending champions Olympique Lyonnais, buoyed by a run of good results in the Champions League, moved into fourth place following a 1-0 win AC Ajaccio. Having rested several key players, including goalkeeper Grégory Coupet and strikers Sonny Anderson and Sidney Govou, Lyon secured the win thanks to a goal from Tony Vairelles on the half-hour.

Penalty winner
Lille OSC defeated in-form FC Sochaux-Montbéliard 1-0, Mile Sterjowski’s 54th-minute penalty proving the difference between the sides, while RC Strasbourg defeated SC Bastia 2-0. Senegalese defender Habib Bèye opened the scoring before Bastia defender Antier Yahia was sent off for a foul on midfield player Ulrich Le Pen. Pierre Laurent’s 70th-minute goal put the result beyond doubt.

Troyes thwarted
At the bottom of the table, ES Troyes Aube Champagne twice took the lead at Montpellier Hérault SC, but eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Gerald Baticle and Nicolas Goussé scoring for the visitors while two goals from captain Franck Silvestre salvaged a draw for the home side.

Sedan win away
Elsewhere, CS Sedan-Ardennes won 1-0 at En Avant Guingamp thanks to a Alain Liri goal, while FC Nantes Atlantique took the lead at Le Havre AC with a Nicolas Gilet penalty but Liverpool FC-bound Florent Sinama-Pongole equalised to ensure a 1-1 draw.