Bordeaux failed to capitalise on Lyon's draw, while PSG handed their bid to avoid the drop a shot in the arm.
Top two draw as PSG claim vital win
Bordeaux failed to capitalise on Lyon's stalemate, while Paris Saint Germain handed their bid to avoid the drop a shot in the arm.
The gap between leaders
Lyon and second-placed
Bordeaux remains at four points as both sides could only claim home draws on Saturday.
The impressive Karim Benzema got Lyon up and running in their clash against Caen, firing home on 34 minutes.
But goals from Juan Eluchans and Lilian Compan saw the visitors turn the match on its head.
Lyon then received a further blow as Fabio Grosso was dismissed for a second bookable offence; but they dug deep and Benzema struck in the 54th minute to ensure both teams went away with a point apiece.
Bordeaux were unable to break down
Nice at Stade Chaban Delmas, despite the visitors playing with 10 men for over an hour after Cyril Jeunechamp was red carded for a professional foul.
Goals from Pauleta and Amara Diane (two) saw
PSG secure a 3-1 success over
Auxerre to move level on points with 17th-placed Lens.
Pauleta struck his 200th goal in France in all competitions to break the deadlock after just three minutes, firing past goalkeeper Remy Riou.
Diane then doubled PSG's lead in the 13th minute as he demonstrated decent strength before drilling into the corner.
Auxerre hit back, though, on 78 minutes with Jean-Pascal Mignot nodding home, before Diane completed his brace to make the points safe for the home side.
Jean Fernandez's Auxerre remain 15th, and are not yet mathematically safe from relegation.
Lens suffered a 3-2 loss at
Le Mans to leave Jean-Pierre Papin's side teetering above the drop zone on goal difference.
Le Mans took a two-goal lead with Daisuke Matsui striking a brace, only for Aruna Dindane to reduce the deficit on 34 minutes.
Mark Base made it 3-1 as he slotted home just after the break, before Kevin Monnet-Paquet netted a late consolation for the visitors.
Lille and
Toulouse also played out a five-goal thriller with Michel Seydoux's side running out the victors at Stadium Lille-Metropole.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Nicolas Dieuze, before Lille struck back via Kevin Maralas.
Fernanded Michel Bastos then dispatched from the penalty spot before Maralas handed Lille a two-goal advantage.
Fode Mansare was on target in the 62nd minute, but it was too little, too late from Toulouse, who lie 16th in the table.
Rennes claimed a comfortable success over
Strasbourg, running out 3-0 winners at Stade de la Meinau.
Mickael Pagis set the home side on their way, with Fabien Lemoine doubling their lead before Pagis completed his brace to seal the points.
Bafetimbi Gomis fired the only goal of the game in
St Etienne's victory over already-relegated
Metz.
Elsewhere,
Sochaux and
Lorient shared the spoils as Melvut Erding struck in the 80th minute to cancel out Yann Joufre's opener.
