PARIS (AFP) - Bordeaux cut the gap on Lyon at the top of the French first division to three points on Thursday when Argentinian striker Fernando Cavenaghi grabbed the winner in a 1-0 win over St Etienne.

Cavenaghi struck in the 56th minute, his fifth goal in four games, as Bordeaux clinched a sixth consecutive win to keep the pressure on six-time champions Lyon who enjoyed a 2-0 win over Lorient on Wednesday.

Nancy and Nice both dropped points, Nancy in a 1-1 home draw with Marseille and Nice in a 1-1 stalemate away to Rennes.

Lyon now have 45 points from 22 matches with Bordeaux three adrift. Nancy and Nice have 37 and 36 points respectively.

Lyon were missing a clutch of regulars through injury before a 38,000 crowd at the Stade de Gerland, including defender Cleber Anderson, midfielder Juninho and striker Sidney Govou.

But they dusted themselves down following last weekend's shock loss to lowly Lens and normal service resumed when Hatem Ben Arfa, fed by Fred, put the table-toppers ahead on the half hour with a fierce left-foot shot.

Lorient, coming into the game five points off the European placings having humbled Paris Saint Germain at the weekend, had their backs to the wall as first France international Karim Benzema, then Fred, hit the bar in quick succession before the break.

It was Benzema who finally clinched the points with his 14th goal of the campaign, a cool, low right-foot finish after he raced down a chipped pass from Kim Kallstrom.

Nancy's Jonathan Brison scored after a neat freekick routine two minutes after the break against Marseille but Nasri levelled after Bolo Zenden crossed into the danger zone and Julien Rodriguez nodded on.

Paris Saint Germain swatted aside tailenders Metz 3-0 at the Parc des Princes with Jerome Rothen setting up a tap-in for Peguy Luyindula after just four minutes.

Rothen then crashed home a tremendous drive for the second in the 34th minute. The one-way traffic continued as Amara Diane hit the third nine minutes after the restart, a low finish capping a slalom run to the edge of the area.

Relegation-threatened Lens showed their weekend win over Lyon was no flash in the pan as they won 2-1 at Valenciennes.

Monaco moved into the top five with a 1-0 home win over Sochaux courtesy of a late winner from Frederic Piquionne.

UEFA president Michel Platini was on hand to watch Strasbourg beat Toulouse 2-0 while Lille bagged a much-needed 3-1 win at home to Le Mans while Caen dropped below Monaco after a goalless home draw with struggling Auxerre.