An ill-tempered affair failed to yield a breakthrough in the opening period but did see the dismissal of Rennes' Gregory Bourillon following two cautions.
Lyon soon took control after the interval and in Juninho had the game's outstanding performer and the opening goal-scorer.
The diminutive Brazilian registering from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.
Six minutes later and Lyon doubled their advantage thanks to a Mickael Essien strike.
A late strike from Pegguy Luyindula sealed a 3-0 victory.
In the day's earlier game second-placed Monaco slumped to 1-0 home defeat to Nantes.
A solitary strike from Marama Vahirua was enough to see off a tepid performance from the Principality outfit.
The battle at the basement saw bottom club Le Mans enjoy a rare away victory - racing to a three goal advantage before half-time against Montpellier.
Quick-fire goals from Fernando Amico, Daniel Cousin and Pancrate causing the damage in another game littered with yellow cards.
The battle for European places saw Auxerre take the points thanks to 2-1 defeat of Sochaux.
Goals from Bonaventure Kalou and Liverpool-bound Djibril Cisse were sandwiched by a solitary Sochaux response - courtesy of an own goal by Philippe Mexes.
Guiranne Ndaw saw red in the 85th minute for Sochaux.
Mid-table mediocrity saw Bordeaux take the honours and points in defeating Bastia on their travels.
Goals from Albert Celades in the first half and Pascal Feindouno in the second, secured a 2-0 victory.
Guingamp did their chances of avoiding the drop no harm, by recording an impressive victory over Lens, previously eighth in the table.
A solitary first-half strike from Jerome Leroy handed Guingamp a 1-0 victory.
Lille and Strasbourg shared seven bookings but only one goal - with Strasbourg claiming a 1-0 victory.
Lille's unfortunate Jean Makoun scored the game's only goal into his own net.
Gregory Proment's second-half goal was enough to pull Metz further away from the drop zone.
Nice failed to register any kind of response in a game which finished 1-0 to Metz.
In a heated relegation battle Toulouse took the points in a 3-1 victory over Ajaccio.
Achille Emana handed Toulouse an early lead and then Nicolas Bonnal ruined Ajaccio's chances of getting back into the contest, when he was red-carded in the 52nd minute.
Cedric Faure and Christophe Avezar extended Toulouse's advantage - with Mamadou Bagayoko netting a late consolation.
