PARIS (AFP) - A late double from Paulo Cesar and Albin Ebondo lifted Toulouse to joint second in the French league on Sunday with a 2-0 victory at lowly Sedan as Marseille reignited their push for Europe with a crushing 4-1 win at home to ten-man Lille.

Toulouse, who looked in danger of being relegated at the beginning of the season, are now in the fray to seal a spot in Europe's elite Champions League next season.

The south western outfit moved ahead of Sochaux, who were held 1-1 by fourth-from-bottom Nice Saturday, to sit equal on points but behind second-placed Lens, who fell 1-0 at Rennes, on goal difference.

Both Lens and Toulouse have 49 points from 31 games, 17 points behind champions Lyon, who have a game in hand and are just two wins away for a record sixth title, but were held to a goalless draw at promoted Valenciennes Saturday.

As the push for Europe heats up with just seven points separating Lens and Toulouse in second and Le Mans in 12th position, Marseille boosted their hopes as they moved up to fifth.

Franck Ribery made his return after being sidelined for over a month with a foot injury but the heroes of the night were Mamadou Niang and Renato Civelli who netted a double apiece.

Lille were reduced to ten men after just eight minutes when Emerson was given his marching orders.

Niang stepped up to convert the penalty awarded before Lille got the equaliser minutes later through a Michel Bastos penalty. Civelli doubled up after 38 and 63 minutes with Niang claiming his second in injury time.

Despite a spirited performance against Toulouse, hosts Sedan are facing relegation as they stay stuck second from bottom with an uncoming trip to five-time champions Lyon.

The match was effectively played in the final 15 minutes with Brazilian striker Cesar breaking the deadlock after 78 minutes and Ebondo consolidating the win six minutes later.

Paris Saint Germain, meanwhile, moved further away from the drop zone Saturday as they fought out a 2-1 win against Le Mans at the Parc des Princes.

Paul Le Guen's side are now three points above the relegation zone moving one place up to 16th position following their second straight win after last weekend's 2-1 win against Lens.

Brazilian striker Grafite had given Le Mans the lead after 31 minutes but the Parisians earned maximum points and just their eighth victory of the campaign with goals from Peguy Luyindula (55) and substitute Amara Diane (80).

Diane had come on for underperforming captain Pauleta after 68 minutes and 12 minutes later found the net through the feet of Le Mans goalie Rodolphe Roche, much to the delight of the jubiliant home crowd.

PSG still face a battle for survival with upcoming fixtures against French League Cup winners Bordeaux, Toulouse and Lyon, but Le Guen believes they are on the right track.

"I'm delighted with the fighting spirit of my players," said Le Guen.

"We're still battling (relegation) but it's good to feel that the group, the club and fans are all behind us.

"We now have our destiny in our hands and we have to give everything for the remaining matches."

Elsewhere Auxerre and Monaco were held to goalless draws at home by Bordeaux and Troyes respectively while Lorient won 1-0 at Nancy.

Nantes, meanwhile, remain stuck to the bottom of the table after losing 2-1 at Saint Etienne.