Montpellier moved top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 win over Ajaccio on Saturday, while Lyon suffered a shock loss at home to Caen.
With Paris Saint-Germain not in action until Sunday, Montpellier displaced them at the top thanks to three goals in 15 second-half minutes.
Morocco international Younes Belhanda opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute at Stade de la Mosson, sparking Rene Girard's men into life.
Midfielder Remy Cabella doubled their advantage, before striker Olivier Giroud continued his stellar campaign by netting his league-leading 16th goal of the campaign.
PSG meet Nice on Sunday and could restore their three-point advantage at the top with a win.
Lyon suffered a surprise 2-1 loss against Caen at the Stade de Gerland.
Caen, who were sitting just above the relegation zone heading into the encounter, went 2-0 up thanks to goals from midfielder Romain Hamouma and striker Livio Nabab.
Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez netted an 86th minute spot-kick for the hosts, but Lyon were unable to find an equaliser as they stayed 10 points adrift in the title race.
A stoppage-time winner from Mamadou Samassa saw Valenciennes snatch a 1-0 win at home to Nancy.
Lorient snatched a late point at Auxerre, earning a 1-1 draw at Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps.
Nigeria-born Swiss striker Innocent Emeghara netted in the 91st minute as Lorient claimed a point, despite playing with 10 men after goalkeeper Fabien Audard was sent off.
The clash between Evian and Marseille, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed earlier in the week.
Later, Mevlut Erding's 16th-minute goal was enough for Stade Rennes to record a 1-0 win at home to bottom side Sochaux, who are without a victory from their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Finally, a 93rd-minute equaliser from Santiago Gentiletti saw Brest scramble a 1-1 draw at home to Dijon, who led through Gael Kakuta's 76th-minute opener.
Brest mounted the comeback despite going down to 10 men on 89 minutes, when Issam Jemaa relieved his second yellow card.