Lorient, France – Montpellier had its three-game winning streak snapped on Sunday as the Ligue 1 leaders suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Lorient at the Stade du Moustoir.
After a scoreless opening period, Montpellier gifted Lorient the lead through an own goal conceded by Henri Bedimo in the 69th minute.
Lorient was able to double that advantage in the 77th minute when Joel Campbell netted what turned out to be the eventual game-winner one minute before Olivier Giroud pulled back a consolation goal for the visitors.
Montpellier, on 66 points, remains in first place after PSG failed to capitalize on the club's loss. The Parisians were held to a point in a 1-1 draw with Auxerre to see the deficit atop the table cut to two points.
The win lifts Lorient out of the relegation zone and all the way up to 13th in the table on 35 points.
Auxerre 1, PSG 1
Auxerre, France - PSG was unable to go level with Montpellier atop the Ligue 1 table as the Parisians were held to a 1-1 draw at Auxerre on Sunday.
After Montpellier's loss to Lorient earlier in the day, PSG cut the deficit to two points with Carlo Ancelotti's men climbing to 64 points. Auxerre remains bottom but improves to 28 points.
Nene put the visitors in front in the 23rd minute and they held that lead until the 86th minute when Anthony Le Tallec pulled back a late equalizer.
Lille 4, Ajaccio 1
Lille, France - Four different scorers helped Lille claim a resounding 4-1 win over Ajaccio at the Stade Lille-Metropole on Sunday.
An own goal from Yoann Poulard put the home side in front before Joe Cole doubled the lead before the break. Lille then jumped out to a four-goal cushion within the final nine minutes thanks to Gianni Bruno and a penalty kick from Eden Hazard, but the visitors were able to grab a goal through Frederic Sammaritano in stoppage time.
Lille moves to within seven points of top spot as the reigning champions sit third on 59 points. Ajaccio, on 33 points, falls to second-to-last place.
St. Etienne 2, Brest 1
Saint Etienne, France - St. Etienne climbed to fifth place in the Ligue 1 table with a 2-1 defeat of Brest at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Sunday.
Four points from its last two league games has seen St. Etienne improve to 50 points on the season. Brest, unable to build upon its 3-1 defeat of Lille last time out, remains on 33 points.
A penalty kick from Max Gradel helped the home side jump in front just three minutes after halftime, but Brest was able to equalize in the 63rd minute through Issam Jemaa. The Greens ultimately claimed three points with Bakary Sako providing the winner 18 minutes from time.
Nancy 2, Bordeaux 2
Nancy, France - Nancy extended its unbeaten run to seven games in a 2-2 draw with Bordeaux at the Stade Marcel Picot on Sunday.
Having not lost a match since February, Nancy has climbed out of the relegation zone to sit comfortably on 40 points, seven points clear of danger and three points shy of Bordeaux.
Bakaye Traore and Sebastien Puygrenier helped give Nancy the lead after Yoan Gouffran had put the visitors in front, but Bordeaux was able to salvage a point thanks to a late penalty kick converted by Benoit Tremoulinas in second- half stoppage time.
Evian 3, Valenciennes 0
Valenciennes, France - Evian grabbed three first-half goals to earn a comfortable 3-0 victory over Valenciennes at the Stade du Hainaut on Sunday.
All three goals came in the final 16 minutes of the opening period as Saber Khelifa, Kevin Berigaud and Yannick Sagbo helped the visitors claim all three points.
Evian improves to 42 points on the year while Valenciennes remains on 37 points.
Sochaux 1, Dijon 0
Montbeliard, France - Modibo Maiga scored 19 minutes from time to help improve Sochaux's chances of survival as the club earned a 1-0 victory over Dijon at the Stade Auguste Bonal on Sunday.
Sochaux sits third from bottom despite going level with Brest, Caen and Ajaccio on 33 points. Goal differential is currently keeping the club in the drop zone.
Dijon has only fared one point better, sitting 15th in the table on 34 points.