Serge Aurier labelled Paris Saint-Germain's win at Lyon as important for the Ligue 1 champions in their quest to return to the top of the table.

Edinson Cavani scored twice as PSG overcame Lyon 2-1 on Sunday to move within a point of the summit.

Mathieu Valbuena's equaliser had Lyon on track for a share of the spoils until Cavani scored his second of the match, nine minutes from time.

PSG's fourth consecutive win helped the capital club - third in the standings - close the gap on league-leading Nice, who drew on Sunday, and full-back Aurier revelled in the victory.

"It was a difficult match because Lyon wanted to get a result," Aurier told Canal Plus. "We knew it would be complicated for us. 

"But we made a good start to the match with calmness and control. The goal allowed us to relax a little. 

"We were a little timid early in the second period and they equalized, but we won in character. As [second-placed] Monaco had won [4-0 against Marseille], it was important to win too."

Blaise Matuidi - who made his 259th competitive appearance for PSG to move 14th on the all-time list alongside Edouard Cisse - added: "Perhaps experience made the difference. 

"They were more aggressive but also took advantage of the spaces we left. We are happy to take the three points."