Remy Cabella scored the only goal of the game to hand Montpellier all three points from their home encounter with Bordeaux this afternoon.
Visiting Bordeaux had the better of the chances prior to the break, but neither Yoan Gouffran nor Henri Saivet were able to breach the home side's net from inside the area.
The hosts had a greater attacking threat after the restart and Cabella had a chance to put them in front with 51 minutes played, but he shot over the crossbar following a pass from Marco Estrada.
Cabella made amends in the 68th minute though when he converted the ball into the net from a narrow angle following a slotted through-ball by Romain Pitau.
Nicolas Maurice-Belay had Bordeaux's best opportunity to equalise in the closing stages, but he ended up shooting over the bar from 12 yards out.
The win has moved champions Montpellier up to 12th in the Ligue 1 table.