Lyon have returned to the top of Ligue 1 by overcoming Reims to claim a 3-1 victory at the Stade Auguste Delaune.

A frantic start to the match started with Lyon breaking the deadlock in the second minute when Corentin Tolisso found the space to head home from a Clement Grenier corner.

The home supporters may have been forgiven for expecting an emphatic defeat just four minutes later as Ligue 1's top scorer Alexandre Lacazette doubled his side's advantage by converting from a Clinton Njie cross.

Reims hit back through Alexi Peuget, who enjoyed a slice of luck when his powerful low strike took a big deflection to leave Anthony Lopes helpless.

However, it was 3-1 to Lyon in just the 20th minute when Henri Bedimo earned space on the wing to deliver a cross which was fired home by Njie from close range.

There continued to be openings at both ends for the remainder of a thrilling first half, and Lyon came close to extending their lead before the break when Nabil Fekir sprinted clear before seeing a low shot saved by Kossi Agassa.

A bright start to the second half from Reims should have been rewarded with a goal, but Antoine Devaux could only head against the crossbar after being gifted space in the box.

There was more frustration for Devaux later in the second half as he struck the woodwork once again with a header which clipped the post.

After spending long spells on the back foot, Lyon were unlucky not to wrap up the win on the break when Njie finished a counter-attack by forcing Agassa into a stunning save.

However, the visitors wrapped up the win when Mickael Tacalfred somehow managed to slice the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance from inside the area.

Reims hit back after the bizarre goal when Gaetan Charbonnier headed home Rigonato Diego's corner in stoppage time, but Lyon picked up the win to move ahead of Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference.