Ligue 1 wrap: PSG slip boosts Montpellier

Lille defeated title-challengers Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 on Sunday, giving leaders Montpellier a boost towards their first Ligue 1 title.

After Javier Pastore gave PSG the lead at the start of the second half, Lille hit back with two goals in seven minutes to claim victory and severely damage the title hopes of the capital club.

PSG went into the match five points behind Montpellier but with a game in hand after the league-leaders defeated Toulouse 1-0 on Friday.

Victory was crucial for PSG if they were to keep the pressure on Montpellier and, after a scoreless first half, Pastore put them on course for a win with a looping header in the 48th minute.

But Lille, who are in third place in Ligue 1, drew level in the 71st minute when Joe Cole split the defence with a fantastic pass from his own half to Nolan Roux and the substitute was dragged down in the box by Mamadou Sakho.

The PSG defender was sent off and Eden Hazard scored from the penalty spot.

Lille’s second goal was set up by a moment of Hazard brilliance when the 21-year-old attacking midfielder crossed the ball with his right foot around the back of his left leg to Tulio De Melo and the big striker headed back across goal for Roux to nod the ball home.

The result leaves PSG five points behind Montpellier and Lille move to within two points of the capital club with four games to go.

Elsewhere, Stade Rennes moved above Lyon and into fourth with a 3-1 win at home to struggling Ajaccio.

The visitors had Samuel Bouhours sent off in the 10th minute, and they were behind when Julien Feret struck soon after.

Razak Boukari doubled their advantage five minutes from time, but Brazilian striker Ilan pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Midfielder Yacine Brahimi settled any nerves the hosts had with his sealer in the 90th minute.

Bottom-placed Auxerre took a step towards safety, thrashing Brest 4-0 to put them within three points of moving out of the bottom three.

In other Ligue 1 results on Sunday, Saint-Etienne defeated Dijon 1-0, Bordeaux won 3-0 at Sochaux, Valenciennes triumphed 2-0 over Nice while Caen and Nancy drew 1-1.