Lyon lost 2-0 at Toulouse but their title rivals failed to take advantage with second-placed Lens and Lille, in fourth, battling out a 1-1 draw while third-placed Sochaux lost 1-0 at Auxerre.

Despite the defeat, Gerard Houllier's Lyon are still well on course for a sixth successive crown as they boast a 14-point lead at the top of the table.

Toulouse went into Saturday's match having suffered three successive defeats with two on home turf and had failed to find the back of the net in all three.

But they picked up their first home win over Lyon in 14 years thanks to a goal on the hour mark by Achille Emana with Johan Elmander adding the second nine minutes from time.

"Toulouse deserved to win," admitted Houllier.

"They were more aggressive and wanted it more in the second half. We deserved to lose, it's as simple as that."

At the other end of the table, Paris Saint Germain coach Guy Lacombe admitted that his side are now fighting for surival after suffering their eighth loss of the season against modest Valenciennes.

The Parisian giants are in freefall, one place above the relegation zone in 17th position, after suffering a 2-1 home loss against a team with the worst away record this season and reduced to ten men.

"What we can say for certain tonight is that now we're fighting for our top flight survival," said Lacombe.

The Parisians' leaky defence conceded two second half goals after Valenciennes were reduced to ten men when Patrick Paauwe was given his marching orders for a second yellow card six minutes into the second half.

Lacombe admitted he had been expecting a win against Valenciennes, promoted last season, and who arrived in Parc des Princes with nine away defeats.

But striker Steve Savidan lifted the visitors with a header after 61 minutes with midfielder Sebastien Roudet adding the second three minutes from time. Pauleta pulled one back with an injury time penalty.

Nothing in the PSG game worked with new Argentine signing Marcelo Gallardo as disappointing as his teammates.

"Crushed? I'm more confused because I wasn't expecting this," said Lacombe.

"This was a non-match. We let it slip away. The club is in trouble. We don't have any solutions at present, but we have enough players who are up to the challenge," he said.

Valenciennes were delighted with just their seventh win in 20 games this season, which moves them into 13th position.

"We proved that our place is in the first division," said striker Laurent Dufresne. "We soaked up the pressure and didn't give in. It's a victory that we're going to savour for a long time."

Second-placed Lens, meanwhile, were held 1-1 in their northern derby against fourth-placed Lille.

Brazilian striker Jussie pulled Lens level after 83 minutes after Michel Bastos had given the visitors the lead after 70 minutes.