Lyon shook off a tough challenge from Evian to win 2-1 at the Stade de Gerland, closing the gap on Montpellier, who were held 1-1 at home by Toulouse.
Lyon had the best of the early chances against Evian and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough with Alexandre Lacazette weaving in between two defenders and setting up Jimmy Briand to score the opener after 35 minutes.
Controversy ensued minutes later as Lyon defender Anthony Reveilliere stopped a goalbound effort on the line with his hand but Remi Garde's side escaped a penalty and a red card.
Nevertheless, Bernard Casoni's men did equalise, Yannick Sagbo latching onto a weighted ball to slot in past Hugo Lloris two minutes before the break.
Lisandro Lopez stepped up to head Lyon back into the lead after 71 minutes but further controversy erupted as two players were sent off in the final five minutes.
Lyon's Clement Grenier was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Aldo Angoula, but both teams finished with 10 men following Fabrice Ehret's dismissal in injury time for a second caution.
Montpellier would have been disappointed to drop points after taking an early lead against Toulouse through Geoffrey Dernis.
But Cheikh M'Bengue found an equaliser for the visitors in the 40th minute, and they held on for a point despite having Franck Tabanou sent off late in the match.
Montpellier remain on top of the table, one point clear of Paris Saint-Germain - who play fourth-placed Lille on Sunday - and two ahead of Lyon.
Elsewhere, Anthony Mounier scored a second-half brace as Nice beat Valenciennes 2-0 while Marseille scored two goals in the final seven minutes to beat Lorient 2-1.
Saint-Etienne jumped to fifth courtesy of a 2-1 win away at Dijon, Florent Sinama Pongolle and former Leeds man Max Gradel with the goals for the winners.
Nancy also had a 2-1 win away from home, against Caen, while Bruno Grougi's penalty was enough to give Brest a 1-0 win over Auxerre.
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