Sylvain Wiltord found the net in the 78th minute for what proved to be the winning goal.

Coach Gerard Houllier had made six changes to the starting 11 which won 3-0 at Steaua Bucharest in Champions League action in midweek and it proved to be a match in which the five-times French champions struggled.

Houllier said afterwards he was proud of his players for the way they played, particularly because of the difficult conditions after a big storm had flooded the pitch.

"You normally see a flamboyant, dominant Lyon who pass the ball around well but tonight was different," he said.

"This away game was played against a very motivated team in difficult weather conditions which prevented us from playing our usual game.

"Considering that, I think we played a superb match. I must congratulate my players for their intelligence in adapting to the conditions and for the effort they showed."

Guirane N'Daw had the first opportunity with a long range shot and Sochaux teammate Karim Ziani, fed by Jerome Leroy, missed the target following a counter attack a minute before the break.

Lyon's best effort had come on the half hour ironically from a Sochaux player when central defender Jeremie Brechet almost managed to put the ball past his own keeper Teddy Richert because of the slippery conditions.

Just after the break, former PSG midfielder Leroy had a volleyed shot saved by Lyon keeper Gregory Coupet after good work from Ziani on the left wing.

Lyon's Fred had a chance to get on the scoresheet after being set up by Juninho on the left wing, but was hampered by teammate Jeremie Berthod and could not get his shot on target.

Lyon's breakthrough came from a mistake. A poor back pass by Sochaux's Dusko Tosic fell into the path of Wiltord, who had only come on moments earlier, and he made no mistake to put the ball past Richert.

Lyon might have gone further ahead from a Juninho volley and then when Sochaux captain Brechet inadvertently deflected the ball on to his own post from a corner.

Houllier added Lyon's season was well on course.

"During September we wanted to regain the lead in the French league and do well in our Champions League matches and we have done that," he said.

"For the moment we are sowing the seeds of success but that never comes until the spring. We have still won nothing yet this season."

France's traditionally big clubs had contrasting fortunes with Monaco beating Le Mans 2-1 in the Principality and Bordeaux losing 2-0 at Valenciennes.

It was only Monaco's second win in eight matches this season which has left them fifth-from-bottom. Bordeaux, who have also had a slow start to the season, are in eighth spot.

Second-placed Marseille have the chance to claw back some of the six-point deficit from Lyon in their home match against Toulouse on Sunday and PSG play at St Etienne.