Montpellier HSC coach Rene Girard has praised his team for their efforts during the 1-0 win over Toulouse.

Younes Belhanda's third-minute strike ensured that the league leaders took all three points at the Stadium Municipal on Friday night.

The result means that La Pallaide currently lead second-placed Paris Saint-Germain by five points before Les Parisiens travel to Lille on Sunday.

Girard said that his side controlled the game and believes that they could have won by a bigger margin.

"It was an important match. I am delighted with the way the boys performed over the 90 minutes," said Girard.

"There is not too much to be said about the match itself. We could have increased our lead at the start of the second half, and that would have allowed us to finish the game in a more relaxed manner.

"I think we showed lots of energy, lots of desire, and we controlled the game really well. It was a performance in line with what we have produced over the course of the season."

Montpeller next play on Tuesday, when they host Evian TG at the Stade de la Mosson.