Lyon continued their revival in form by claiming a fourth consecutive win in all competitions with a 2-0 defeat of Nantes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, while Reims held onto their place in the top four after beating Montpellier 4-2.
Argentinian World Cup winner Nicolas Tagliafico put Lyon ahead against Nantes midway through the first half at the Groupama Stadium when he converted from a Said Benrahma assist.
Lyon then doubled their lead early in the second half as Nantes defender Nicolas Pallois turned a low Corentin Tolisso centre into his own net.
The victory for Lyon comes on the back of a 4-1 win away to Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday and is their second on the bounce in Ligue 1.
Having started the season with just one win in five, Pierre Sage’s team are now up to eighth, above Nantes.
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain visit Nice later knowing a win will take them back to the Ligue 1 summit on goal difference from Monaco.
The principality club moved provisionally three points clear with a 2-1 success at Rennes on Saturday.
Marseille, who were held 1-1 at home by bottom club Angers on Friday, are five points behind the leaders in third place.
Reims are fourth, behind Marseille only on goal difference, as they continued their good start to the campaign by getting the better of struggling Montpellier.
Zimbabwe’s Marshall Munetsi, Japanese international Keito Nakamura and Ivory Coast striker Oumar Diakite all scored for Reims before Teddy Teuma sealed their victory with a late penalty.
Arnaud Nordin netted twice for Montpellier, who are in the relegation zone.
Also on Sunday, Brest followed their 4-0 win away to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League in midweek by beating Le Havre 2-0 in Brittany.
Ludovic Ajorque and Ibrahim Salah scored for Brest in a game both sides ended with 10 men.
Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at home to Will Still’s unbeaten Lens in Alsace.
M’Bala Nzola and Andy Diouf were on target for Lens either side of an Abakar Sylla counter for Strasbourg, who secured a point thanks to Habib Diarra’s penalty on the hour.
