Claude Puel congratulated his players after they moved back into the Ligue 1 title race with a 3-0 win over struggling Lens last night.

Les Gones went into the weekend eight points behind leaders Lille but their defeat at Monaco on Saturday opened the door and Lyon were happy to march straight through it with a convincing victory at the Stade Gerland.

Henri Bedimo's own goal opened the scoring in the 55th minute and Jimmy Briand doubled OL's advantage six minutes later before Lisandro Lopez rounded off the scoring in stoppage time. Lyon could even afford to miss a stoppage-time penalty, awarded when Bedimo felled Ederson. The Brazilian stepped up but saw his shot saved by Vedran Runje.

We should have scored more goals because goal difference could be important in the end but I congratulate my players.
Lyon coach Claude Puel after their 3-0 win over Lens

Puel said: "We did in the first half what we had prepared all week, but we lacked that final ball. We missed a bit of accuracy but out first-half performance ultimately allowed us to find spaces in the second.

"Once we opened the scoring we were able to continue the momentum. We should have scored more goals because goal difference could be important in the end but I congratulate my players. There was a lot of tension in the ground but we successfully negotiated that and conceded very few chances."

Briand added: "It was a difficult game as Lens came to defend. We had to be patient because after two draws we had to find a solution. We understand that fans are demanding but now the goal is to win at Paris St Germain next week."

Lens are now seven points adrift of safety and boss Laszlo Boloni was puzzled by his side's second-half display. "I saw two completely different halves," he said. I am looking for an answer as I know we can do better. We are disappointed as we are now entering the home straight."