Lille clinch title, Monaco on brink

Lille claimed their first Ligue 1 title in 57 years as both they and nearest challengers Marseille drew 2-2.

Going into their penultimate league match with a six-point cushion, they needed only not to lose at Paris St Germain, or for Marseille to fail against Valenciennes to officially be confirmed as champions. As it was both sides of the bargain were fulfilled with a pair of four-goal draws.

Lille twice led through Ludovic Obraniak's fifth-minute goal and Moussa Sow's 59th-minute strike.

PSG had equalisers from Guillaume Hoarau, who was sent off moments into the second period, and Mathieu Bodmer, but it was not enough to deny Lille.

Indeed, by the time the final whistle went they were already champions as Marseille had been denied victory by Remi Gomis' 66th-minute equaliser.

Marseille had led after goals from Andre Ayew and Loic Remy had cancelled out Foued Kadir's opener in a hectic four-minute period in the first half.

The relegation issue remained as murky as ever as a clutch of teams fighting for safety secured wins or draws. Any of Monaco, Nancy, Caen, Valenciennes, Nice, Brest or Auxerre could still go down depending on results next week.

Monaco kept their survival hopes alive with a tense 1-0 win at Montpellier. The victory, secured by Benjamin Moukandjo's goal in the 56th minute, was not enough to lift Monaco out of the relegation zone, though. It means they need to get something from their final game of the season, against Lyon, and hope at least one of the teams above them drops points.

Nancy secured a vital win as they defeated Europa League qualifiers Rennes 2-0 at Route de Lorient. Bakaye Traore and Julien Feret got the goals for the visitors as they claimed three points to ensure they remain just a place and a point above the drop zone.

Brest avoided being in the bottom three as Larsen Toure gave them a 1-0 win at Auxerre, while Caen kept the right side of the line thanks to a goalless draw at Lyon.

Nice would also have been in the relegation zone but for Eric Mouloungui's brace giving them a 2-0 win over Lorient, who had Jacques Romao sent off late on.

Even Toulouse could have finished the day in the drop zone but, as it was, their 2-0 win over Bordeaux was enough to secure their safety.

The fact that Valenciennes face Nice next week means Toulouse and Montpellier are safe, despite being just three points above the drop zone.

Elsewhere, a double from Brown Ideye saw Sochaux secure their Europa League place with a 2-1 win over St Etienne, whose goal, a first-half equaliser, came from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while relegated Arles claimed their first away win of the season at Lens, who are also down.