Lyon have maintained the pressure on Ligue 1 pacesetters Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille with a narrow 1-0 victory over Brest at home.
The hosts could have gone ahead in the 28th minute when Steed Malbranque released Lisandro Lopez, only for the forward to see his shot saved by Brest goalkeeper Alexis Thebaux.
Thebaux then kept out Dejan Lovren's header from close range but was helpless when Jimmy Briand's shot hit the bar moments later.
Lyon had another chance to make the breakthrough at Stade de Gerland in the 36th minute, but once again Thebaux made a good save, this time from an Alexandre Lacazette shot.
The home side eventually broke the deadlock in the second half, Bafetimbi Gomis latching on to Malbranque's through ball to shoot home on 57 minutes.
Lopez came close to doubling Lyon's advantage on 82 minutes, but he was denied by Thebaux.
Subhankar Mondal
