Nice boss Claude Puel has claimed that his team were deserving of their 3-0 win at home to Lyon.

Valere Germain's 20th-minute strike helped OGC on their way to a first win in four matches, at the expense of OL.

However, Puel has suggested that his players had to overcome a difficult start to the game.

He is quoted by Ligue 1's official website as saying: "I told the players they had the chance to give pleasure to those watching. Everyone was up to it this evening, the Nice fans and both teams.

"At the start of the game we had trouble playing it out from the back. Once we started playing with more quality we started to find space between the lines and create chances.

"We stayed very compact and we passed the ball well in order to claim this deserved win. As at Marseille we were solid defensively."

Nice are now only one point behind Lyon, who remain in second place.