Olivier Giroud put hosts Montpellier ahead in the 64th minute when he finished off a flowing move by curling the ball into the bottom corner for his 10th league goal of the season.

Lille has picked up only one point from its last two games, opening up the title race with seven games remaining.

Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac leveled five minutes after Giroud's goal, running onto a long pass from midfield and clipping the ball over goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren for his second goal in two games and seventh in the league this season.

“We reacted well after conceding the first goal. Gignac scored and we benefited from a penalty at the end,” Marseille defender Charles Kabore said. “We bounced back and got three very important points.” Gignac, who has lost his place in the France squad since the team's disappointing World Cup campaign, almost added another goal with a powerful shot that swerved just wide of the top corner.

After both teams had a player sent off, Taiwo scored in the 82nd when he coolly sent Jourdren the wrong way.

Referee Stephane Lannoy awarded Marseille the penalty after Abdelhamid El Kaoutari tugged back Loic Remy as he was about to shoot. Lannoy then sent both players off. Remy was dismissed even though Marseille was awarded the decision.

Last-place Arles-Avignon was relegated after losing 1-0 at home to Valenciennes, with Gregory Pujol scoring his 14th goal of the season. Arles has won just one of its 31 matches.