Aurelien Chedjou (L) and Mathieu Debuchy (R) of Lille challenge Emmanuel Riviere (C) of St Etienne during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne May 10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - Lille took a step closer to winning the French title on Tuesday after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Saint-Etienne from a deflected winning goal by midfielder Rio Mavuba.

Rudi Garcia's side holds a seven-point lead over second-place Marseille, which has played a game less and hosts Brest on Wednesday. After that, there are three rounds remaining.

"We've guaranteed our qualification for the Champions League, that was our objective and we did it in style tonight," Garcia said. "Now we only have one ambition, which is to be French champions."

Saint-Etienne took a fifth-minute lead through striker Emmanuel Riviere, but Brazilian striker Tulio De Melo responded 10 minutes later for Lille.

After Riviere almost put Saint-Etienne ahead again, Mavuba's shot from 25 yards took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Jeremie Janot in the 69th.

Mavuba, Lille's captain, has played in all 35 league games so far.

"It's almost symbolic that Rio scores the winning goal," Garcia said, adding that he was touched when even Saint-Etienne's fans applauded this team off the field after the final whistle.

"The crowd here at (Stade) Geoffroy-Guichard are amazing. Their ovation gave me goose bumps. It was a fitting reward for my team."

Lille, which won the last of its two French titles in the 1953-54 season, is vying for a league and French Cup double. The team plays PSG in Saturday's Cup final.

Saint-Etienne took the lead when Riviere's pass put midfielder Laurent Battles clean through. Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau rushed out to block his shot, but Riviere followed up to tap in his eighth league goal of the season.

De Melo equalized with a brilliant volley after connecting perfectly with strike partner Moussa Sow's cross.

Midway through the second half, Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy made a timely intervention to throw his body in the way and head a cross away that Riviere was poised to nod in.

That proved the turning point in the match, as Saint-Etienne was punished moments later when Mavuba's shot from 25 yards took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Jeremie Janot.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot just wide of Landreau's goal in the 87th as Saint-Eteinne pushed forward.

Paris Saint-Germain's chances of qualifying for the Champions League were hit after a 2-2 home draw to Nancy. The draw means PSG is one point behind third-place Lyon, which has played a game less.