Nancy moved ahead of opponents Marseille, while Lille slipped up at Sedan.
Nancy moved into the top six courtesy of a 2-0 win over Marseille, while Lille slipped up at bottom club Sedan.
Nancy had slipped down the Ligue 1 rankings in recent weeks but got back to winning ways at home.
Benjamin Gavanon broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time with a well-taken free-kick.
Pablo Correa's famed tight defence kept the visitors at bay in the second period and twenty minutes from time, Kim made the game safe with a slot finish past Marseille goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso.
Elsewhere, Lille slipped to a surprise defeat with struggling Sedan claiming a 2-0 win.
Gregory Pujol got the ball rolling for the hosts in the 29th minute and Sedan were quick to claim the two-goal lead they would not relinquish through Nicolas Marin (33).
St Etienne capitalised fully, replacing Lille in third place with a 3-0 win over Valenciennes.
Ilan (38) broke the deadlock, although the win was not assured until Pascal Feindouno's strike in the 80th minute and Christophe Landrin added his side's third goal three minutes later.
Monaco earned a much-needed respite with a 3-0 defeat of Sochaux at Stade Louis II.
Jerko Leko gave ASM the lead in the sixth minute and Jeremy Menez (56) all but settled the fate of the three points before Yaya Toure (87) put the seal on the win.
Troyes picked up a useful point in their battle against relegation with a 1-1 draw at Rennes.
The visitors may even have been disappointed not to claim all the spoils after holding the lead given to them by David Gigliotti for more than an hour.
Gigliotti struck inside six minutes and Rennes were frustrated until Jimmy Briand struck in the 72nd minute.
Nantes also picked up a creditable point in a goalless draw at home to Bordeaux but remain two points adrift of Troyes.
Le Mans moved into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win over mid-table rivals Toulouse - Marko Basa (31) and Ndri Romaric (77) among the goals for the hosts.
Click below for an individual match summary:
Le Mans 2-0 Toulouse
Monaco 3-0 Sochaux
Nantes 0-0 Bordeaux
Nancy 2-0 Marseille
Rennes 1-1 Troyes
Sedan 2-0 Lille
St Etienne 3-0 Valenciennes
