Lyon have moved to within four points of third place with a 2-1 win over Lille on Saturday.
It was the home side who started the match the stronger and Alexandre Lacazette so nearly opened the scoring with an effort after ten minutes, but his shot was pushed away by Mickael Landreau.
Lacazette did not have to wait long to make amends, however, as he headed a Mouhamadou Dabo cross into the net after 12 minutes.
Lille had a golden chance to draw the game level after 31 minutes, but Eden Hazard's strike from outside the box just drifted wide of the post.
Lyon moved 2-0 ahead after 38 minutes when Lisandro Lopez fired a powerful strike into the top corner after good work from Lacazette.
Lille remained a threat, however, and cut the deficit to 2-1 just before the break when Aurelien Chedjou headed a Benoit Pedretti cross into the top corner.
The away side came close to levelling the scores moments after the break, but Nolan Roux's effort was pushed away by Hugo Lloris.
Lyon continued to search for a third, however, and so nearly moved 3-1 ahead when Michel Bastos smashed the bar with a fine free kick on the hour mark.
Lille were next to hit the woodwork after 63 minutes when Tulio de Melo thumped the crossbar with a header after a cross from Lucas Digne.
Lyon were reduced to ten men after 70 minutes when Dejan Lovren was dismissed after a dangerous challenge on Hazard.
De Melo again came close with 15 minutes remaining, but his header just missed the target as Lille desperately searched for the leveller.
Lyon resisted the pressure in the latter stages, however, to claim a vital three points in their fight for Champions League football.
Lyon have moved into sixth in Ligue 1, while Lille remain third.
Matt Law
