French league leader Paris Saint-Germain missed the chance to move seven points clear after conceding a sloppy stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Lille on Sunday.
Star striker Kylian Mbappé’s penalty gave PSG the lead in the 66th minute before Canada striker Jonathan David levelled four minutes into injury time.
Still, with Monaco and Nice losing their games, PSG is five points ahead with one round of matches left on Wednesday before the mid-season winter break.
PSG substitute Marco Asensio’s poor pass was intercepted by Rémy Cabella, whose deflected shot was well saved by goalkeeper Arnau Tenas. But the alert David got ahead of central defender Marquinhos to head in the goal that ensured Lille stays in fourth place after 16 matches.
Mbappé was kept quiet until a penalty was awarded when defender Bafodé Diakité impeded defender Lucas Hernandez. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier guessed the right way but was beaten by Mbappé’s power and precision.
It took Mbappé’s league-leading goal tally this season to 16 and it was also the 17th goal he has been involved in against Lille during his career - 11 goals and six assists. But as so often in recent seasons, Mbappé’s goals paper over cracks in the PSG team, notably when it comes to defending a lead and coping under pressure.
Brest is proving the surprise team in the league this season and is in fifth place on goal difference behind Lille after winning 2-0 at Nantes in an earlier game.
Brest’s fourth win in the past five games had left Lille needing at least a draw to reclaim fourth. PSG midfielder Vitinha’s angled shot was saved by Chevalier in the 36th minute of an even first half, where Edon Zhegrova was dangerous down the right for Lille.
In the lunchtime kick off, Brest scored in quick succession early in the second half through midfielder Hugo Magnetti and Benin striker Steve Mounié following a corner.
Before the game, Nantes fans held a minute’s silence for a supporter from the Brigade Loire ultras group who died after being stabbed before a home game against Nice on Dec. 2.
His face was projected on the stadium’s big screen at Stade de la Beaujoire and Nantes players warmed up with his name - Maxime - written on their training tops.
Before the game, his name was also carried on a giant banner held by Brigade Loire ultras and other home fans as they walked to the stadium from the location in Nantes where he was fatally stabbed during an altercation.
Also Sunday, Marseille continued its improvement under coach Gennaro Gattuso by beating last-place Clermont 2-1 at home for a fourth straight league win. Defender Michael Murillo fired Marseille ahead in the 26th after being set up by in-form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Amine Harit doubled the lead in the 42nd when he followed up after Iliman Ndiaye’s shot had been saved following a pass from Aubameyang, who went close moments later.
Striker Jim Allevinah scored for Clermont in the 58th.
OTHER MATCHES: Central defender Maxime Estève headed in early on from silky playmaker Téji Savanier’s cross as Montpellier won 1-0 at Metz.
Savanier is among the best passers in the league. Despite a yearly salary of around 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million), he still lives where he grew up on the outskirts of Montpellier among a Gypsy commune, sharing a modest-size flat with his wife and children in a low-income housing estate. Savanier remains strongly attached to the local community and often hosts barbecues.
Also, veteran striker Kevin Gameiro was on target as coach Patrick Vieira’s Strasbourg side won 2-1 at Lorient to move up to ninth, and Toulouse drew 0-0 at home to Rennes.
