Fred continued to win back the hearts of the Lyon fans as the Ligue 1 leaders moved six points clear with a 1-0 victory over lowly Lille on Saturday.
The Brazil striker rounded off a free-flowing move in the 32nd minute to inflict Lille's first defeat of 2008 in a game played at the Stade de France as part of the stadium's 10th birthday celebrations.
Fred, who was linked with a move away from the champions in the January transfer window, has returned to favour with a bang. He bagged a brace against Metz last weekend and, having not found the net all season, now has three in two games.
Marseille boosted their Champions League hopes as they moved up to fourth with a 2-1 win over Auxerre.
First-half goals from Lorik Cana and Djibril Cisse put the south coast side in control before Benoit Pedretti grabbed an 88th-minute consolation for Auxerre, who saw their lead above the drop zone cut to six points.
OM leapfrogged Le Mans in the table after Rudi Garcia's side went down to a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Strasbourg.
The visitors went into the clash looking over their shoulders but are now just five points off a European place thanks to Wason Renteria's goal in the 22nd minute.
Nancy remain third, 10 points behind Lyon, after a goalless draw at UEFA Cup hopefuls Lorient, while both Valenciennes' and Monaco's European hopes are still alive after their 0-0 draw in the principality.
At the other end of the table, Metz claimed only their third win of season as Babacar Gueye's penalty eight minutes from time gave them a 2-1 win over out-of-sorts Caen.
Papa Malick Diop had put Metz in front, but substitute Issam Jemaa equalised from the spot in the 81st minute.
The home side are still a mammoth 16 points from safety though, while Caen's hopes of a European spot are fading fast.
Ten-man Toulouse climbed to within two points of safety after coming from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Lens.
Achille Emana struck in the 75th minute to cancel out Loic Remy's first-half opener, but Nicolas Dieuze was sent off just a minute later.
Second-bottom Sochaux are a point behind Toulouse after a goalless draw at home to Rennes.
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