Lyon stay at summit for winter break

French champions Lyon take a four-point lead into the Christmas break after they were held to a 1-1 draw by closest challengers Nancy.

It looked like it would be seven points when former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker Milan Baros put Lyon ahead as the team managed by former Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin continue their quest for a seventh consecutive crown.

But Chris Malonga struck late on to give Nancy and the chasing pack hope of reeling in the champions in the new year.

Two points further back are Bordeaux, who needed a late goal from Jussie to beat struggling Sochaux.

Caen continued their excellent run with a 2-0 win at the expense of Strasbourg with Juan Eluchans and Cedric Hengbart (penalty) the scorers as the team moved up to fourth. Strasbourg’s Gregory Paisley was sent off.

Bottom club Metz have what looks a mountain to climb in 2008 and are 13 points adrift of the fourth bottom spot that would mean safety in the new year after a 2-0 defeat at Lorient, for whom Rafik Saifi and Nicolas Marin netted the goals.

Mamadou Niang helped Marseille sign off for 2007 with the only goal against Le Mans while David Hellebuyck gave Nice a 1-0 win over Valenciennes who had Yacine Bezzaz dismissed.

Sammy Traore’s goal gave Auxerre a 1-0 win over Monaco.