Ten-man AS Monaco overcame a sending off early in the second half to beat local rivals OGC Nice 1-0 and remain in second place in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Nice would have overtaken Monaco on goal-difference if they had won the French Riviera derby, but failed to take advantage after Monaco midfielder Nabil Dirar was sent off in the 47th minute after two yellow cards in quick succession.
Instead, the red card inspired Monaco and midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko headed in a free-kick from Joao Moutinho in the 81st minute to seal a hard-fought win.
Photo: AFP
Monaco remain a massive 21 points behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who were due to play at bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille yesterday.
Olympique Lyonnais won 3-0 at Angers SCO to move up to fifth place, one point behind their opponents.
Rightback Christophe Jallet gave Lyon the lead early with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area following a poor clearance.
Moments later, Angers midfielder Thomas Mangani was shown a straight red card for a crude challenge on Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso and the visitors took complete control.
Shortly after the break, midfielder Rachid Ghezzal made it 2-0 after France winger Mathieu Valbuena and Jallet set him up.
Valbuena then did well to find space inside the area and pick out Tolisso for the third goal.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Nantes moved provisionally up to sixth spot after drawing 0-0 at Toulouse, who are languishing in 19th spot, while Normandy side Stade Malherbe Caen dropped to eighth place after losing 2-0 at home to Stade de Reims.
Corsica side SC Bastia beat last-placed ESTAC Troyes 2-0 to move closer to mid-table security, fellow Corsicans Gazelec Ajaccio drew 0-0 at home with En Avant de Guingamp and Montpellier Herault drew 1-1 at Lorient.
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