Lyon, France (SportsNetwork.com) - Max-Alain Gradel's second-half tally proved to be the difference on Sunday as St Etienne earned a 2-1 victory over Lyon at the Stade de Gerland
Riding a two-match winning streak in league play entering Sunday, St Etienne had the confidence flowing early and opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Mevlut Erding.
Alexandre Lacazette pulled Lyon level in the 39th minute with his 11th goal of the season, but St Etienne snuck away with an important three points as Gradel scored in the 74th minute to ensure the points.
The result sees Les Verts improve to 54 points, comfortably in fourth place, six points ahead of Lyon, while only three behind Lille for third place.
Elsewhere in France on Sunday, Romain Alessandrini, Ola Toivonen and Jean Makoun all scored as Rennes came away with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bastia at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.
The hosts got off to a quick start as Alessandrini scored just 14 minutes into proceedings and Toivonen doubled the advantage just prior to the half hour mark. Makoun put the result away with a goal in the 59th minute to seal the points.
Lille pulled to within six points of second-place Monaco on Sunday after Salomon Kalou's stoppage-time winner handed the club a 1-0 victory over Guingamp at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole.
