Richard Cockerill said Leicester Tigers were "as good as they have been all season" after their 41-32 win against Montpellier at Welford Road.
The four-try showing keeps Tigers very much in the hunt for a home Heineken Cup quarter-final.
They will fly to Montpellier for the return leg on Sunday just two points behind Pool Five leaders Ulster.
Winger Miles Benjamin was back to his best, running in two spectacular tries in the opening 15 minutes as Leicester went 24-3 ahead.
Although the French side fought back to play their part in a thrilling contest, director of rugby Cockerill was happy with his side's fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.
"During that purple patch in the first half, it was as good as we have played all season because we were accurate and took our opportunities," said Cockerill.
"Even with the absentees we have got, we were at least a match for them.
"We wanted to play. We took our first three opportunities well and then we had three or four more opportunities which we didn't take. It was more open than I would have liked it to be.
"There were probably five or six tries left out there from both sides.
"We needed the five points and that was good for us.
"It puts the pressure on Ulster."