Lille took a step closer to winning the French title on Tuesday after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Saint-Etienne from a deflected winning goal by midfielder Rio Mavuba.
Rudi Garcia's side holds a seven-point lead over second-place Marseille, which has played a game less and hosts Brest on Wednesday. After that, there are three rounds remaining.
''We've guaranteed our qualification for the Champions League, that was our objective and we did it in style tonight,'' Garcia said. ''Now we only have one ambition, which is to be French champions.''
Saint-Etienne took a fifth-minute lead through striker Emmanuel Riviere, but Brazilian striker Tulio De Melo responded 10 minutes later for Lille.
After Riviere almost put Saint-Etienne ahead again, Mavuba's shot from 25 yards took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Jeremie Janot in the 69th.
Mavuba, Lille's captain, has played in all 35 league games so far.
''It's almost symbolic that Rio scores the winning goal,'' Garcia said, adding that he was touched when even Saint-Etienne's fans applauded this team off the field after the final whistle.
''The crowd here at (Stade) Geoffroy-Guichard are amazing. Their ovation gave me goose bumps. It was a fitting reward for my team.''
Paris Saint-Germain's chances of qualifying for the Champions League were hit after a 2-2 home draw to Nancy. The draw means PSG is one point behind third-place Lyon, which has played a game less.
Lille, which won the last of its two French titles in the 1953-54 season, is vying for a league and French Cup double. The team plays PSG in Saturday's Cup final.
Saint-Etienne took the lead when Riviere's pass put midfielder Laurent Battles clean through. Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau rushed out to block his shot, but Riviere followed up to tap in his eighth league goal of the season.
De Melo equalized with a brilliant volley after connecting perfectly with strike partner Moussa Sow's cross.
Midway through the second half, Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy made a timely intervention to throw his body in the way and head a cross away that Riviere was poised to nod in.
That proved the turning point in the match, as Saint-Etienne was punished moments later when Mavuba's shot from 25 yards took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Jeremie Janot.
Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot just wide of Landreau's goal in the 87th as Saint-Eteinne pushed forward.
At Parc des Princes, PSG took an early lead when Turkey striker Mevlut Erding headed in Ludovic Giuly's cross.
But Cameroon midfielder Landry N'Guemo equalized midway through the first half from the penalty spot, after defender Christophe Jallet was sent off for a foul on Julien Feret - ruling him out of Saturday's Cup final through suspension.
Moments before the interval, PSG regained the lead when Nene crossed from the right and striker Guillaume Hoarau headed the ball down to defender Zoumana Camara, whose scuffed shot crept just inside the post.
But Nancy, fighting to stay in the top flight, equalized again in the 69th through Youssouf Hadji's diving header.
A minute later, Nancy was down to 10 men when midfielder Reynald Lemaitre was shown a second yellow card.
PSG was unlucky not to score again.
Nene hit the post and the crossbar from long range, and had a dipping free kick tipped over by goalkeeper Damien Gregorini, while Hoarau also hit the post in a frantic spell before Hadji's goal dampened spirits.
Only a wonderful fingertip save at full stretch by goalkeeper Gregory Coupet prevented Hadji from scoring a late winner.
The point could prove valuable in Nancy's fight against relegation.
Nancy is in 18th place, one point behind Nice, which hosts last-place Arles-Avignon on Wednesday.
In Wednesday's other matches, it is: Auxerre vs. Lyon; Lens vs. Bordeaux; Montpellier vs. Lorient; Rennes vs. Caen; Sochaux vs. Monaco, and Toulouse vs. Valenciennes.
