Ligue 1 round-up

Elsewhere, there was a surprise win for Valenciennes, three-point hauls for Rennes and Ajaccio, a stalemate at Auxerre and two games drew a blank.

Montpellier started the night top of the pile, but ended it three points off the pace following a shock 4-2 defeat on the road at Evian.

Following a goalless first half, the visitors twice took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes of the second period through Younes Belhanda (47) and Olivier Giroud (54).

They were, however, pegged back on each occasion, with Cedric Barbosa (52) and Saber Khelifa (68) levelling matters.

Having refused to roll over, Evian went on take all three points as Cedric Cambon (71) and Brice Djadjedje (75) rounded off a productive period that saw the hosts score four times in a little over 20 minutes.

Big-spending Paris St Germain lead the way in Ligue 1 following a 1-0 victory over in-form St Etienne.

A solitary effort from Mathieu Bodmer on 32 minutes was enough to see the capital giants to their 12th success of the season.

Reigning champions Lille were involved in a topsy-turvy encounter with Nice that eventually ended 4-4.

Lille went in front on two occasions inside the opening half-an-hour, with Aurelien Chedjou (9) and Cole (27) on target.

They were behind at the interval, though, as Renato Civelli (16) and a double from Franck Dja Djedje (35 &45) turned the tie on its head.

Eric Mouloungui saw red for Nice on 71 minutes and Eden Hazard restored parity five minutes later.

Florent Balmont looked to have won the game for Lille when he pounced two minutes from time, but Francois Clerc grabbed the eighth goal of a remarkable game in stoppage-time to ensure the spoils would be shared.

Surprise

Valenciennes shot out of the drop zone after seeing off title-chasing Lyon 1-0.

A forgettable night for the visitors saw Aly Cissokho put through his own net on 28 minutes, and they were unable to muster a reply.

Auxerre left it late to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw with Dijon.

Benjamin Corgnet (7) and Brice Jovial (33) had Dijon in complete control at the break, but they took their foot off the gas as time ticked down.

Anthony Le Tallec stepped off the bench to haul Auxerre back into the game with 10 minutes remaining and Issam Jemaa grabbed a dramatic equaliser in time added on.

Ajaccio remain rooted to the foot of the table, but are only three points adrift of safety after seeing off Sochaux 2-0.

Benjamin Andre (65) and Mehdi Mostefa (78) helped the Corsican outfit to three much-needed points.

Rennes were thankful to Jires Kembo Ekoko for seeing them past Bordeaux, with his 53rd-minute strike settling a tight contest.

Caen broke a run of four straight defeats as they hung on for a 0-0 draw at Lorient, while Toulouse and Brest also failed to trouble the scorers at Stadium Municipal.