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Yet another wonder-save from Grégory Coupet ensured that Lyon maintained their unbeaten record by recording a goalless draw away to local rivals Saint-Etienne.
Lyon had shaded the contest in front of Les Verts' fervent supporters, but the home side almost created a sensation by becoming the first side to beat the champions in 26 attempts this season. With time running out Vincent Hognon's deflected shot looked goalbound before last-ditch intervention from Coupet saved the day for Lyon.
Thanks to their inspirational 'keeper, Lyon claimed a draw and now move 12 points clear of second-placed Auxerre.
Lyon asserted their usual control on proceedings in the first half, with midfield trio Mahamadou Diarra, Juninho Pernambucano and Tiago passing the ball about seemingly at will.
While many expected them to try to play at a high tempo, Les Verts were content to defend in numbers in the opening stages and soak up the Lyon pressure. That ploy was almost found wanting when, on eight minutes, Anthony Réveillère centred for Sylvain Wiltord whose near post shot deflected just wide of Jérémie Janot's near post.
Gérard Houllier's team were in relaxed mood, perhaps surprised by the ease at which the home side had allowed them to get into the game. In the 17th minute, Réveillère overlapped again on the right, this time crossing for John Carew. The giant Norwegian connected well with his volley but Janot was equal to it, tipping the ball round the post with a fine reflex save.
Janot was in the thick of the action again moments later, this time punching Juninho's swinging free kick to safety. The Brazilian's shot came from close to left touchline the ball moved so violently through the air that the Saint-Etienne custodian could not be blamed for treating it with caution.
Elie Baup's side started to venture into the Lyon half regularly as the first period wore on, and Loic Perrin had their first shot on target on 32 minutes, the effort easily saved by Coupet.
The first opening of the second period fell to Lyon and the inimitable Juninho. After winning a free kick some 35 yards out, the Lyon playmaker ran onto Tiago's pass before striking another swirling effort that Janot again opted to punch with both fists.
Saint-Etienne were far stronger in the second period, though, as Pascal Feindouno and David Hellebuyck started to see far more of the ball than their Lyon counterparts.
With just 18 minutes left, the home fans thought their side had struck a winner when Vincent Hognon pounced on a loose ball in the area. Hognon squeezed his shot goalwards via a deflection off Diarra but Coupet produced a stunning reflex stop to push the ball behind for a corner.
It was the last major action of the game, as a rather disappointing derby petered out in the final stages.
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