Lille beats Nice 1-0, maintains French title hopes

PARIS (AP) -- Defending champion Lille kept alive its slim French league title hopes by winning 1-0 at Nice on Wednesday after Eden Hazard set up Tulio De Melo's early goal.

Hazard, who has been valued at ?32 million and linked to bigger European clubs, jinked down the wing and floated over a perfect cross for the Brazilian striker to head into the net in the sixth minute.

The win moved Lille provisionally above Paris Saint-Germain and into second place, but PSG could reclaim second spot and trim leader Montpellier's advantage to three points by beating Saint-Etienne at home later Wednesday.

Montpellier missed a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time in a 2-2 draw with Evian on Tuesday night.

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