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Ligue 1 round-up: PSG go top but Monaco's title hopes suffer

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore (L) celebrates
Image: Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore (L) celebrates

Javier Pastore scored twice as Paris St Germain beat Nice 3-1 to return to the top of Ligue 1.

The two-time reigning champions moved a point ahead of Lyon with victory over Claude Puel's side.

Pastore's opener was cancelled out in first-half injury time by Mathieu Bodmer but the Argentinian scored again just after the hour and Edinson Cavani's penalty rounded off the result.

Monaco's title hopes suffered a major blow on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rennes.

Bernardo Silva had the hosts ahead in the first half but Habib Habibou netted the equaliser with just three minutes remaining.

The result leaves Monaco six points behind leaders Paris St Germain with just five games to play while the club from the capital also have a game in hand.

Lens' stay in the top-flight looks even more precarious after they were beaten 3-1 by relegation rivals Metz.

The division's bottom side were desperate to pick up their seventh league victory this season, but goals from Florent Malouda, Bouna Sarr and Modibo Maiga saw Metz to victory. Aristote Madiani netted a late consolation.

Despite the win, Metz remain in trouble, one off the bottom of the table and eight points from safety with six games left.

Reims climbed above fellow strugglers Bastia in the table as caretaker boss Olivier Guegan claimed his first win in charge.

David N'Gog fired the visitors ahead at the Stade Armand Cesari, with Aissa Mandi doubling Reims' lead before Giovanni Sio responded for the Corsicans, ensuring the game finished 2-1.

Evian were left one place above the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at Guingamp.

The visitors trailed to Claudio Beavue's goal just before half-time but equalised five minutes after the interval through Nicolas Blandi.

Defeats for Bastia and Lorient prevented either of them pulling clear of Pascal Dupraz's side, though Lorient's conquerors Toulouse vaulted out of the relegation zone and above all three into 15th.

Lorient's relegation woes deepened after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Toulouse.

Martin Braithwaite was the hero for the visitors as he netted the winner midway through the first-half to send Toulouse three points clear of the drop zone.

A late scuffle between both sets of players saw Jacques Francois Moubanje see red for Toulouse, but Dominique Arribage’s side managed to survive the final 10 minutes to claim a vital three points.

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