The China Mail - Monaco hold Lille as Rennes go top of Ligue 1

With Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon's match pushed back to Monday due to protests taking place across France this weekend, a winner in the principality would have gone three points clear at the top of the table.

But Lille have to content themselves with second spot on goal difference in the standings ahead of Monaco as both sides moved to 15 points -- one ahead of Lyon, reigning champions PSG and Paris FC.

Rennes then took full advantage of the draw as they eased past 16th-placed Strasbourg in Brittany to climb to 16 points.

At the Stade Louis II, Ethan Mbappe's goal midway through the first period put Lille in the driving seat but a straight red for Nianzou just after the hour was swiftly punished by Edan Diop as the hosts forced a draw.

"The plan worked well in the first half," Lille coach Davide Ancelotti said.

"We managed to stick together," he added of his side following the dismissal of Nianzou.

"The mood in the dressing room is positive because we held on until the end."

The younger brother of France and Real Madrid star Kylian showed the crisp finishing instincts associated with the Mbappe name as he darted into the box and whipped a first-time shot with his left foot past Lukas Hradecky on 24 minutes.

Monaco rarely threatened through the rest of the opening period but the match burst into life in the second half as Monaco's Paris Brunner passed up a golden opportunity in the 65th minute, before Lille defender Nianzou was given his marching orders for a reckless challenge.

The hosts then levelled in the 74th minute as Diop's cross toward Brunner evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner.

- Marseille survive late onslaught -

First-half goals for Boulaye Dia and Sebastian Szymanski put Rennes in the driving seat against Strasbourg.

Polish midfielder Szymanski netted just after the hour to secure the points for Franck Haise's team as they moved into top spot in Ligue 1.

That situation could change on Monday when PSG take on Lyon, although Luis Enrique's team will be without Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, captain Marquinhos and winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during the team's 4-2 Champions League victory against Barcelona in midweek.

Elsewhere on Sunday, eighth-placed Marseille held on to beat bottom-of-the-table Le Havre 4-3 at the Stade Velodrome.

The home side were cruising at 4-0 up with just under 15 minutes remaining, until a Josh Maja brace either side of a Lamine Ndiaye goal set up a grandstand finale.

Toulouse and Troyes, as well as Angers and Lorient, played out goalless stalemates, while Auxerre drew 1-1 with Le Mans.

W.Tam--ThChM