"We simply fell short in every aspect," Lille coach Bruno Genesio candidly admitted.
After also letting two points slip from their grasp in December against another team way below them, table-footers Montpellier, Genesio pointed out: "It's these type of matches that leave us with a feeling of unfinished business.
"We have very little margin, we have to stay totally focussed."
Saint-Etienne brushed away any lingering post-festive blues to record a 3-1 win over mid-table visitors Reims.
Saint-Etienne had to come from behind to reverse a run of four consecutive losses, with a brace from Augustine Boakye earning new coach Eirik Horneland his first win at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
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In Saturday's late match Lyon thought any title aspirations they still entertained had been dented by a feisty Montpellier but Khalil Fayad's own goal in the first minute of stoppage time broke the away team's heart and moved Lyon to within two points of third-placed Monaco.
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(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)