Paris (AFP)

Lyon, Monaco and Montpellier, all victorious on Sunday, came back to two points from Paris SG, leader of Ligue 1 also threatened by Lille which moves in the evening to Saint-Etienne (9:00 p.m.), stuck in a spiral of seven consecutive defeats.

PSG is starting to feel the breath of its pursuers, determined to take advantage of the slack of the vice-European champions on Saturday against Bordeaux (2-2) at the Parc des Princes.

Olympique Lyonnais, deprived of the European Cup this season, showed a much more conquering and serene face at home with a clear and flawless victory against Reims (3-0), quickly outnumbered.

Even if "we cannot speak of a benchmark match by playing one hour at eleven against ten", "we must continue on this dynamic and look upwards", welcomed the trainer Rudi Garcia after this third success in a row .

- Toko Ekambi, the winning OL -

The icing on the cake, OL ended its performance on the first goal this season from Moussa Dembélé (66th), who came into play a handful of minutes earlier and authored a subtle dive above the Reims goalkeeper.

Without Houssem Aouar, dismissed for having avoided athletic work after the victory in Angers last weekend, the Lyonnais, on the other hand, could count on their attackers Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi, very visible.

The Dutch captain was decisive with his passes and accelerations, such as the one leading to the exclusion of Moreto Cassama (31st), guilty of having inflicted a voluntary trip on him.

His perfect service for Toko Ekambi, back from suspension, could have hit the mark but the post rejected the Cameroonian's attempt (7th).

A new millimeter pass allowed the striker to score his fifth goal in Ligue 1 this season, with a nice instant recovery (22nd).

The addition could have been heavier for the Rémois, but the right post rejected an attempt by Toko Ekambi (7th) and the left, another by Tino Kadewere (31st) who was also denied a goal on out game (38th).

They bowed on a strike from Bruno Guimares diverted (48th).

In two weeks, OL's trip to the PSG lawn will offer a gala poster for an undecided Ligue 1 at its peak.

- Monaco carbide -

Monaco is also one of the most credible candidates for the final podium, an impression reinforced by its victory on Sunday against Nîmes (3-0) thanks to Sofiane Diop (19th), Gelson Martins (75th) and Kevin Volland (77th).

Since its heavy defeat in Lyon (4-1) at the end of October, the principality's club has chained four victories, after those in front of Bordeaux, Nice and PSG, a series that precedes two trips to Lille and Marseille.

The Lille (22 points) can come back to the level of the Parisians in the event of victory on Sunday evening in Saint-Etienne.

As for Marseille (21 pts), winner 3-1 over Nantes on Saturday, his two late matches also allow him to put the Parisian rival under pressure.

Montpellier was also invited in the fight for the first places thanks to a late victory in Lorient (1-0).

The Serbian replacement Petar Skuletic, scorer just after coming into play, allowed the Hérault people to score 23 points after 12 days, like OL and Monaco.

Angers also traveled well to Lens (3-1).

Superb goals from Mathias Pereira Lage and Stéphane Bahoken and a final one from Pierrick Capelle lifted the SCO to eighth place, tied with Rennes and two points behind OM.

Brest and his double scorer Irvin Cardona are in ambush just behind after their 2-0 victory in Metz.

© 2020 AFP