The visitors had chances to win the game at the Stade Gerland where Lyon have only once dropped points this season.

Toulouse were the only other side to leave Lyon with a point in a 1-1 draw in August but the champions can still look back on a successful first half to the campaign.

In 16 matches, Gerard Houllier's men have lost just once (1-0 at Rennes) and have 50 points compared to 35 for second-placed Lens who beat struggling Nice 2-1 on Saturday.

"Our aim was to be on 52 points at this stage, but we have 50," said Houllier.

"The pitch today was difficult but the quality of play was important. We created some good chances and put together some dangerous moves. We deserved to win more than Monaco, but that's football."

Monaco's day got off to the worst possible start when giant Czech striker Jan Koller was replaced by Mohammed Kallon after just nine minutes.

Kallon was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when he was chopped down by Anthony Reveillere but play was waved on.

Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet then allowed a back-pass from former Monaco defender Sebastien Squillaci to squeeze past him but he was saved when the ball came to a halt at the foot of the right post.

But Lyon had the better openings with Monaco keeper Flavio Roma having to save from Cris as well as two sharp free-kicks from Juninho.

In the last minute, Roma also kept out Swedish international Kim Kallstrom.

PSG drew 1-1 at Troyes as the capital city side's relegation worries mounted.

Ivory Coast striker Amara Diane gave PSG a 48th-minute lead but George Ba levelled for Troyes 15 minutes from the end.

"We had the game in hand," said PSG coach Guy Lacombe. "It's a shame. We could have killed the game in the first half.

Karim Ziani grabbed both goals as Sochaux beat Nancy 2-1.

The two strikes came in a three-minute period in the second half after Sebastien Puygrenier had given Nancy a 12th-minute lead.

That win put Sochaux temporarily into second place but they were later replaced by Lens who had to fight back from a goal down to beat second-from-bottom Nice 2-1.

Ivory Coast international Baky Kone gave Nice a 26th-minute lead but Ferreira Jussie levelled from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute before Aruna Dindane secured the three points 10 minutes from time.