Lyonnais 2 - 0 Nantes: Gaetan Perrin and Alexandre Lacazette on target as Lyon beat Nantes

Gaetan Perrin's first goal for the club and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty secured Lyon a vital 2-0 home win over Nantes which moves them back into third place in Ligue 1.

It took until the 83rd minute for Lyon to open the scoring when substitute Perrin, with his first touch, headed home from inside the penalty area after Rachid Ghezzal's shot had been blocked.

Lacazette made sure of victory in added time by sending Nantes goalkeeper Remy Riou the wrong way from the spot in after Yacine Bammou's foul on Jordan Ferri.

Before 19-year-old Perrin's introduction it looked like Lyon were going to be held by a stubborn Nantes side as the hosts dominated but could not find the finishing touch.

The closest they came in the first half was after 17 minutes when Ghezzal's left-footed shot from 25 yards was deflected onto the crossbar by Nantes' Lorik Cana.

Lyon had further chances in the opening period. Samuel Umtiti missed with a free header while Corentin Tolisso also flashed a shot just wide of the upright.

Forays on the Lyon goal were rare, with Nantes limited to long-range efforts. The best came from Guillaume Gillet early in the second period but it was easily caught by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

Despite their weakness in attack it looked like les Canaris would hold out for a vital draw in their pursuit of a top-six finish in Ligue 1 before Perrin and Lacazette stole the points for Lyon.