Monaco extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 as Radamel Falcao's second-half goal secured a 1-0 win at Angers.
Falcao was restored to the Monaco starting lineup for the first time since the end of February after a hip injury.
And the Colombian came up with the all-important 61st-minute winner -- his 17th goal in Ligue 1 this season -- after mid-table Angers had threatened an upset.
Falcao latched onto Nabil Dirar's pass to net the winner and Monaco survived a late scare when Jonathan Bamba's header struck a post six minutes from time.
Monaco's victory took them four points clear of second-placed Nice, although Paris Saint-Germain could cut the gap to one on Sunday when they play at home to Guingamp.
Fourth-placed Lyon suffered a surprise 4-1 home defeat to Lorient as the bottom three in Ligue 1 all won on a night of shocks.
It looked plain sailing for Lyon when Memphis Depay set up Corentin Tolisso to open the scoring after 28 minutes. But Lorient levelled through Majeed Waris' magnificent right-footed strike three minutes before half-time.
Lorient took control when Sylvain Marveaux pounced, and Benjamin Moukandjo struck after 73 and 80 minutes to give the fast-improving visitors a third straight win.
Bordeaux climbed above Marseille into fifth spot by beating Metz 3-0.
Brazilian striker Malcom rewarded early home pressure by sweeping Bordeaux ahead after 14 minutes.
Valentin Vada then scored twice within seven minutes of the restart, the first from the penalty spot and the second after good work by Gaetan Laborde.
Metz had full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto sent off in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Nancy moved out of the bottom three with a comfortable 3-0 home victory against Rennes.
The hosts had been in free-fall with eight defeats in nine games and no league win for two months. But Maurice Dale struck after 11 minutes to ease Nancy nerves.
Issair Dia was on target after 51 and 65 minutes to take his season's tally into double figures.
Bastia boosted their battle to beat the drop with a 2-1 win at Dijon -- their first in Ligue 1 since Dec. 17.
Enzo Crivelli (17) and Yannick Cahuzac (58) netted for Bastia, with Pierre Lees-Melou (29) replying for a Dijon side who drop into the bottom three.
Caen's relegation worries also increased with a 2-0 home defeat to Montpellier.
Stephane Sessegnon (50) and Jonathan Ikone (88) scored second-half goals for Montpellier.