Paris (AFP)

Lille missed Sunday against Saint-Etienne (1-1) the opportunity to join Paris SG at the top of Ligue 1, but the Northerners are following the French champion with only two points behind like Lyon (3rd), Monaco ( 4th) and Montpellier (5th)

Among the ambitious "outsiders", only Lille did not succeed this weekend to completely rush into the breach opened on Saturday by the vice-champions of Europe, held back by Bordeaux (2-2) in the capital.

Hanging on by the Greens, the Northerners now have 23 points like Lyon, Monaco and Montpellier, all winners earlier in the day.

Marseille (6th), after its victory against Nantes on Saturday, has two points less than this group but can hope to improve its two late matches.

Three days after their duel against AC Milan (1-1) in the Europa League, LOSC was manhandled before the break by Stéphanois who remained on seven defeats in a row in the league.

Trauco (15th) and Romain Hamouma (45th) thus warmed the gloves of Mike Maignan.

And the third goalkeeper of the France team could not do anything on the penalty from Wahbi Khazri (33rd), generously granted by the referee.

After half-time, the Northerners returned to the front, overwhelming the Séphanois thanks in particular to Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan Ikoné.

The French international equalized on an altruistic service from the Turkish chest (65th).

- Lyon in a favorable position -

In the afternoon, Olympique Lyonnais showed a 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 .

The icing on the cake, Moussa Dembélé scored his first goal this season on a subtle dive over the Reims goalkeeper (66th) shortly after coming into play. Captain Memphis Depay caused the expulsion of Moreto Cassama (31st), guilty of having inflicted a voluntary trip, and signed an assist for Karl Toko Ekambi (22nd).

Lyon will have a card to play next Sunday in Metz since the other four members of the current Top-5 will compete: PSG will go to Montpellier on Saturday and Lille will host Monaco.

Credible candidates for the final podium, the Monegasques disposed of Nîmes (3-0), aided by the expulsion of Lucas Deaux in the second half.

"The title? Not after 12 matches, we're not there yet, no. It's a good period for us, we have to keep working, we are a young team", projected coach Niko Kovac after the fourth consecutive victory of its players.

- Nice collapses -

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 entering the game, allowed the Hérault people to score 23 points, like LOSC, OL and Monaco.

The surprise of the day came from Nice where the Aiglons lost their feathers against Dijon (3-1), the red lantern of the championship which left the Côte-d'Azur with its first victory of the season.

Patrick Vieira saw a "small revolt" after an "insufficient" first period, but the Nice coach has not found the key to raising the low level of play of his team.

"Either we remain united, coherent and we work to restore the situation. Either we disperse, which I will not admit," he said.

Deprived of many executives (Dante, Schneiderlin, Atal and Dolberg) for this match, OGC Nice falls into the second half of the standings.

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

Superb goals from Mathias Pereira Lage and Stéphane Bahoken in particular 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