Les Gones had only won once in seven trips to the Stade Louis II, but Fred's 55th-minute goal proved enough for them to earn their third straight league victory.

With second-placed Marseille and third-placed Bordeaux also winning on Saturday, it is status quo at the summit as Lyon maintain their four-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.

Claude Puel opted for Fred instead of Karim Benzema and the Brazil forward was thrilled to be able to repay his coach's faith in him.

"I'm very happy to have scored and especially that that allowed us to take all three points," he said.

"This will give us the strength for the upcoming games."

Fred came close to leaving the French champions in last season's January transfer window but ended up staying, pledging his short-term future to the club.

He recently revealed he is once again considering moving on after finding himself on the receiving end of jeers and taunts by Les Gones fans.

However, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas wants the 25-year-old to sign an extension to his contract, which runs out at the end of the season, and Fred insists that is now what he wants too.

"I'm very happy to remain here at OL," added Fred. "I spoke to the president and others and I hope we are going to have a meeting in the next few weeks to extend my contract.

"I still have the desire to score a lot of goals at OL."