Girondins Bordeaux saw their lead at the top of Ligue 1 cut to three points after going down 4-2 at Stade Rennes on Saturday.
A goal after three minutes by Sylvain Marveaux. a penalty by Jimmy Briand and then a fine strike by Ismael Bangoura just after the break gave Rennes a comfortable lead before Bordeaux fought back with goals from Yoan Gouffran and Brazilian Wendel.
But a superb goal in the 78th minute by Rennes' Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, freshly returned from the African Nations Cup, sealed victory for the Breton side.
Earlier in the day, second-placed Montpellier cut the gap at the top with a 2-0 win at second-from-bottom Boulogne-sur-Mer through goals from Souleymane Camara and Victor Montano.
Surprise package Montpellier are now looking increasingly confidently towards European competition next year.
Bordeaux, still on course for an unprecedented French triple of league and cup triumphs, lead the table with 48 points ahead of Montpellier on 45 with third-placed Lille, who drew 1-1 at Nice, on 41.
Paris St Germain slid to 15th after going down 3-0 at home to Lorient.
Bottom club Grenoble recorded a shock 5-0 win at home to sixth-placed Auxerre.
