Lyon began their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Toulouse on Saturday, overcoming a strong first-half display from the hosts.
Toulouse started brightly and created several promising opportunities, with Yann Gboho and Julian Vignolo both coming close to breaking the deadlock.
Thomas Jorgensen also saw an effort cleared off the line as Lyon struggled to impose themselves before the break.
The home side continued to apply pressure after half-time, but their failure to convert their chances eventually proved costly.
Lyon took the lead against the run of play when substitute Pavel Šulc set up Noah Nartey on the edge of the box.
Nartey made no mistake with his first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Toulouse pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find a way through, while Lyon grew increasingly dangerous on the counter.
The visitors doubled their advantage late in the game when Malick Fofana curled a superb finish into the far corner after receiving a precise pass from Corentin Tolisso.
The result ended Lyon’s run of two consecutive league defeats and handed new Toulouse manager Jens Berthel Askou a losing start.
It was also Toulouse’s first defeat in their opening Ligue 1 match in 19 seasons, having previously recorded 14 wins and four draws in such fixtures.
For Lyon, the victory provides a timely confidence boost ahead of their Champions League qualifying second leg against Fenerbahce, with the tie level at 1-1.
