Leaders Monaco snuffed out Olympique Marseille's hopes of challenging for the French title when a superb Ludovic Giuly goal gave them a 2-1 away win on Friday.

Champions Olympique Lyon stayed six points behind in second place after a 2-1 home win over Metz but Marseille are now 12 points adrift of Monaco in fifth place after their fourth successive home defeat in all competitions.

Striker Ahmed Mido put Marseille ahead shortly before halftime but Monaco, unbeaten since August 9 in the league, dominated the second half.

They equalised through a header by central defender Sebastien Squillaci off a Jerome Rothen free kick before midfielder Giuly danced through the Marseille defence from halfway to flick the ball home with his left foot.

It was Giuly's ninth goal of the season. Marseille were booed off the pitch.

Lyon started hesitantly and Metz, 17th at start of play, went ahead in the 22nd minute when Florent Malouda centred at the end of a counter-attack for Jonathan Jager to score with a header.

Six minutes later striker Peguy Luyindula equalised with his eighth goal of the season from about 10 metres out.

Lyon clinched all three points shortly after halftime when Brazilian defender Edmilson met a corner from compatriot Juninho and the ball went in the net off his back.

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