Sidney Govou equalized late in the first half and Lyon drew 1-1 at home against Marseille to improve its French first-division lead to four points and extend its unbeaten record to 19 matches heading into the winter break.
Marseille striker Peguy Luyindula scored against his former team after just three minutes at Stade Gerland, but Govou leveled with his third of the season in the 39th minute.
PHOTO: AP
Brazilian striker Nilmar missed a chance at a winner for Lyon in the 88th, failing to head in Juninho's cross.
The result gave three-time defending champion Lyon 39 points after 19 rounds, while Marseille remained in fifth with 29 points. It was third straight draw by Lyon and fourth in its last five matches.
Lyon enters the winter break with the league lead for the first time since the 1962-1963 season.
After this weekend's matches, the league will be idle until Jan. 12.
Lille will have a chance to climb with a point of the lead today when it travels to play last-placed Ajaccio.
Luyindula, who joined Marseille from Lyon over the summer, put Marseille ahead when defender Eric Abidal failed to clear the ball, allowing Luyindula to poke it past goalkeeper Nicolas Puydebois.
France midfielder Sylvain Wiltord created Lyon's goal when he burst down the left and crossed for Govou, who beat his marker to bundle the ball home past Marseille keeper Jeremy Gavanon.
Monaco looks to hold onto third place when it hosts sixth-placed Bordeaux at Stade Louis II.
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