Jean Makoun's double sent Olympique Lyon to a four-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-1 win at Nice on Sunday.

The seven-times champions appeared on course for a straightforward win after early goals by Makoun and Karim Benzema but Onyekachi Apam reduced the arrears on the stroke of halftime.

Cameroon midfielder Makoun was perfectly set up by Brazilian Ederson to slot the ball home from close range on 17 minutes. Juninho then lofted a cross above the Nice defence for Benzema to collect the ball and fire past David Ospina nine minutes later.

The hosts were lucky to reduce the gap in first half added time when Apam netted from close range from a Chaouki Ben Saada corner kick.

However, Lyon kept their composure in the second half as Nice, who had only lost once at home in Ligue 1 this season, gradually lost their temper and subsequently had two players sent off.

Lyon had a penalty after Ospina fouled Ederson in the box but the Nice keeper parried Benzema's attempt.

But Makoun headed home 10 minutes from time to wrap up the win.

Lyon now have 46 points from 23 matches and second-placed Girondins Bordeaux will have the opportunity to narrow the gap to one point when they visit Olympique Marseille later on Sunday.

In Sunday's other early game, promoted Grenoble were held to a goalless stalemate by Valenciennes, who stays second from bottom.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 9, 2009)