There was a sense that it was a case of when, not if, Lyon would find the net in the first period given the fact Montpellier had conceded a first-half goal in nine of their previous 10 home league matches.
The answer ultimately proved to be the third minute, as Lyon flew out of the blocks to take an early lead through Georgia international Georges Mikautadze.
The 24-year-old collected Rayan Cherki’s neat pass on the right side of the box, before drilling the ball past Benjamin Lecomte to net his sixth Ligue 1 goal of the season.
The first period quickly fell into a lengthy lull until Montpellier brought the game back to life with a productive long throw in the 38th minute.
Andy Delort held off his marker to tap the throw-in off to Teji Savanier, who sent the ball across for Tanguy Coulibaly to guide home the equaliser, ensuring the hosts went into the break with momentum in their favour.
Unfortunately for Ligue 1’s basement side, their growing momentum was brought to a halt by Lyon’s electric start to the second period.
Nuamah restored the visitors’ advantage within six minutes of the restart, cutting inside onto his favoured left foot before whipping the ball into the far corner to silence the home crowd.
Just moments later, the Lyon winger turned provider, curling an inswinging cross towards Corentin Tolisso, who flicked his header past the unmoved Lecomte.
With the fight knocked out of Montpellier, a confident Lyon side showed no mercy as they added a fourth through Alexandre Lacazette, who stroked the ball home after meeting an inviting cross from fellow substitute Abner Vinícius.
The skipper’s seventh Ligue 1 goal of the season wrapped up Lyon’s first away win since December, moving them up to fifth for the time being, while leaving the hosts six points adrift of safety following a third straight defeat.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ernest Nuamah (Lyon)