Garde: Lyon win hard work

Lyon head coach Remi Garde expressed his relief after his team claimed a tight 1-0 win over Brest to move back to third in Ligue 1.

Having not won for three games in France’s top division, Lyon got the job done at home when Bafetimbi Gomis scored in the 57th minute.

Garde was happy with the win but praised Brest for their stubborn defensive performance as the visitors never let Lyon pull away despite 74 percent possession and five shots on target to one.

“The victory was a tight 1-0,” Garde said.

“We were unable to protect ourselves by scoring the second goal.

“Even the first one wasn’t easy; it was not so easy to score it.

“Brest defended valiantly; they defended well, always pressing the man on the ball to narrow the space.”

Despite two draws and a defeat heading into Sunday’s game, the victory means Lyon are only one point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain and second-placed Marseille.

Gomis claimed after the win it had been important to get back on track.

“I’m happy to taste victory again,” the 27-year-old striker said.

“It was very important after our last two games.

“We lost against Bordeaux when we were playing better than them.

“It was important for the squad to be able to win again.”