Lyon have gone five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a 1-0 victory over Montpellier at home.

The hosts were always in control of the match at Stade de Gerland and could have taken the lead in the third minute when Rachid Ghezzal went close with a direct free kick.

Eight minutes later Ghezzal forced Montpellier goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali into making a good save.

Lyon broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Bafetimbi Gomis fired in from distance after being released by Clement Grenier.

Grenier himself could have scored in the 34th minute, but saw his shot saved by Ligali.

Three minutes later Steed Malbranque tried his luck from the right side of the Montpellier penalty box, but failed to keep his shot on target.

Montpellier had a chance to restore parity in the 55th minute but Younes Belhanda's shot went high and wide.

Then Belhanda set up Souleymane Camara for a shot from close range only to see the final effort go wide.

Thereafter Lyon regained their control of the game, with Michel Bastos and Grenier both coming close.