Monaco trim Nice's lead

A review of the weekend's action in the French Ligue 1, as Paris St Germain thrashed Rennes to put pressure on Nice.

PSG forward Edinson Cavani (C) is congratulated by team-mates after scoring
PSG forward Edinson Cavani (C) is congratulated by team-mates after scoring

Paris St Germain kept pace with Ligue 1 rivals Nice and Monaco after thrashing Rennes 4-0 at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Edinson Cavani's headed effort from a corner ricocheted off Gelson Fernandes on the near post to give the reigning French champions the lead after 31 minutes. Cavani finally got on the scoresheet as Rennes defender Pedro Mendes lost possession before the Uruguayan forward's first-time strike looped over Benoit Costil.

Second-half goals from Adrien Rabiot and Marco Verratti helped stretch Unai Emery's side's unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions, moving them level with second-placed Monaco.

Ligue 1 leaders Nice suffered their first league defeat since August as Caen claimed a 1-0 victory at the Stade Michel-d'Ornano.

Ivan Santini's first-half penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides after Ronny Rodelin was tripped inside the box by Nice defender Dalbert.

Frederic Guilbert and Jean-Victor Makengo came close to doubling Caen's advantage after the break. Lucien Favre's side dominated possession but were unable to find an equaliser as they remain three points ahead of Monaco and PSG.

Metz failed to make the most of their numerical advantage as they were held to a goalless draw by 10-man St Etienne.

Les Verts were down to 10 men after 35 minutes when winger Oussama Tannane was shown two yellow cards in the space of 60 seconds.

Simon Falette hit the woodwork with six minutes left as Les Grenats failed to break through a stubborn St Etienne defence.

On Saturday, Monaco had trimmed Nice's lead at the top to three points as Leonardo Jardim's side thrashed Nancy 6-0 at the Stade Louis II.

Radamel Falcao scored a brace to add to his Champions League double in midweek. The Colombian forward headed home from close range before slotting home from the penalty spot after Diallo Guidileye clumsily brought down Fabinho inside the area.

Kylian Mbappe added a third goal midway through the second half when Nancy failed to clear Benjamin Mendy's cross before two late goals from Guido Carrillo and one from Fabinho stretched the hosts' unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Nill De Pauw's last minute equaliser saw Guingamp earn a 3-3 at Dijon.

The visitors, who were searching for their fourth straight league win, trailed 3-1 in the first-half as goals from Cedric Varrault, Lois Diony and Julio Tavares put Dijon ahead.

Marcus Regis Coco briefly pegged one back for Guingamp in the first-half but Alexandre Mendy trimmed Dijon's lead to one before De Pauw popped up to claim a point.

Dijon are now unbeaten in six games while Guingamp stay fourth.

Lyon were 2-1 winners against nine-man Bastia at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Alexandre Lacazette's 37th minute penalty gave Lyon the lead before Bastia goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca was given a straight red in the second-half after he tripped Nabil Fekir who was through on goal.

Yannick Cahuzac received a second yellow card as things went from bad to worse for Francois Ciccolini's side.

Despite Enzo Crivelli's last-minute consolation goal, Pierre Bengtsson's own goal four minutes from time put the game out of reach.

Bordeaux claimed their first win in six games after a 2-1 victory over 10-man Lorient.

Francois Kamano opened the scored for Les Girondins before Jerome Prior's own goal levelled for Lorient.

Diego Rolan's second-half effort saw Bordeaux regain the lead before substitute Walid Mesloub was given a straight red card for pushing Kamano to the ground as bottom-club Lorient suffered their ninth defeat of the campaign.

Mariusz Stepinski's last minute equaliser earned Nantes a 1-1 draw against Toulouse while Famara Diedhiou's first-half goal gave Angers a 1-0 win over Lille.

Ryad Boudebouz's first-half double paved the way for Montpellier to claim a much-needed 3-1 home win over Marseille.

Boudebouz had scored twice on his most recent appearance - a 6-2 defeat at Monaco last month - and took just four minutes to get on the scoresheet when he had a simple tap-in after Steve Mounie's shot was saved into his path.

The Algeria international doubled Montpellier's advantage after 36 minutes when he took a touch and volleyed home after Souleymane Camara's cross bounced through to him in the middle of the area.

Montpellier have conceded the most goals in Ligue 1 this season and gave Marseille hope when Laurent Pionnier put through his own goal.

But Mounie restored the home side's two-goal cushion moments later to seal just their second win in 11 league games.

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