Valencia got their Champions League campaign back on track with a win against Lyon through Sofiane Feghouli’s first half goal.
Feghouli netted shortly before the interval with a spectacular strike, brushing the fingertips of home goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and clipping the bar on its way in.
The Algeria international had earlier struck the woodwork but got everything right to score what could be a pivotal goal in Los Che’s season.
Valencia were beaten in their first group game by Zenit St Petersburg and the pressure had been put on Coach Nuno Santo, the team’s domestic form not offering much respite.
Zenit beat Gent in Russia to top the group by six points but Valencia go above both Lyon and Gent by virtue of their win in France, Lyon and Gent having drawn on match day one.
Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech had to be alert more than once to keep the advantage intact and his defence were also needed more than once to snuff out chances to equalise.
Alexandre Lacazette hit the crossbar for the hosts and Domenech had to tip over a Corentin Tolisso effort in the second minute of injury time as Valencia held on.
