Nancy stun Marseille as sorry Barton sees red

The results capped a memorable few days for Paris Saint-Germain, who own a three-point lead over Lyon at the top.

Meanwhile, Marseille are now six points adrift of the leaders following their surprise defeat at Stade Velodrome.

Paul Alo'o Efoulou almost handed Nancy an unlikely lead when his acrobatic volley was cleared off the line by Andre-Pierre Gignac.

The Cameroon striker was then thwarted by a sharp save from goalkeeper Steve Mandanda just before halftime.

With Nancy belying their status as the division's bottom club, their cause was further helped when English midfielder Joey Barton was dismissed on the hour-mark after collecting two yellow cards in the space of five minutes.

Marseille boss Elie Baup though was critical of the referee's decision.

Patrick Gabriel's men duly capitalized on their numerical advantage 13 minutes later when Romain Grange's inswinging corner was flicked on by Salif Sane with Andre Ayew making a mess of an attempted goalline clearance.

Gignac squandered a late chance to draw Marseille level as he was unable to get the ball out of his feet with the goal at his mercy as Nancy secured just a third win of the season and their second in as many outings.

Earlier, France under-21 striker Alexandre Lacazette volleyed Lyon in front on 53 minutes at Ajaccio but they could only protect their advantage for four minutes before their relegation-threatened rivals leveled the match.

Moroccan international Chakhir Belghazouani pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired past an unprepared Remy Vercoutre in the Lyon goal for the equalizer.

It was then left to Mutu, the former Chelsea, Juventus and Fiorentina star, who has endured a troubled career before surprisingly signing with Ajaccio in the off-season, to roll back the years with two late strikes.

A confident header on 65 minutes from a Johan Cavalli cross put the home side in front.

Lyon were then awarded an 87th-minute penalty, but Guillermo Ochoa was the hero as he turned away Bafetimbi Gomis' spot-kick.

Montpellier came from a goal down to beat Brest 3-1.

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