Bordeaux edge closer to French title

PARIS - Girondins Bordeaux moved closer to the Ligue 1 title after securing a 1-0 win at home to Monaco Saturday with three points clear of Olympique Marseille and just one game left to play.

Bordeaux, who were last crowned champions 10 years ago, are on 77 points after extending their winning streak to 10 league games.

They will visit strugglers Caen next Saturday.

Marseille, second on 74 points, secured automatic entry to the Champions League with a 2-1 win at Nancy before they host Stade Rennes for their last game.

Olympique Lyon are now certain to end the season in third, and will go through to Champions League qualifying, after a 3-1 home victory against Caen took them to 70 points, seven clear of fourth-placed Toulouse, who won 2-0 at Nice.

Bordeaux struggled throughout the game but prevailed thanks to a first-half header from Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh from a Yoann Gourcuff free kick.

Marseille also feared a Nancy comeback when they conceded a goal from Landry N’Guemo two minutes from time.

Laurent Bonnart had put Marseille in front before the interval through a deflected shot, with Brandao getting the second from close range after Nancy goalkeeper Damien Gregorini had saved a Renato Civelli header from a corner.

Juninho scored his 100th goal for Lyon when he converted from the spot after being brought down in the area.

The Brazilian midfielder was then given a standing ovation from Lyon’s fans when he was substituted after the interval.

Ligue 1 top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac scored two to take his tally to 24 goals as he helped Toulouse move up to fourth with a 2-0 win over Nice.

Second-bottom Nantes lost 2-1 to strugglers Sochaux and are on the brink of relegation to Ligue 2.