Lens 2-1 Paris FC: Thauvin scores and sets up Hazard winner

Florian Thauvin scored one and set up the other as RC Lens came from behind to beat Paris FC 2-1 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday. Luca Koleosho put the visitors ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Thauvin equalised in the 63rd minute and substitute Thorgan Hazard turned in his cross seven minutes from time.

Match facts

• Result: RC Lens 2-1 Paris FC (half-time 0-1)
• Competition: Ligue 1, Matchday 8
• Venue: Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens (kick-off 19:45 UK)
• Scorers: Lens - Thauvin 63', Hazard 83'; Paris FC - Koleosho 45+2'
• Red cards: None
• Next: Lille v RC Lens (Ligue 1), Friday 30 October; Paris FC v Monaco (Ligue 1), Sunday 1 November

How the match unfolded

Lens started on the front foot in heavy rain, with Yannick Cahuzac fielding a new back three of Jean-Clair Todibo, Samson Baidoo and Ruben Aguilar. Obed Nkambadio kept out a Florian Sotoca header from Saud Abdulhamid's cross, and Thauvin tested the Paris FC goalkeeper from a free kick and a corner. A VAR check for a possible Lens penalty midway through the half came to nothing, and Moustapha Mbow and Pierre Lees-Melou were booked within a minute of each other.

Against the run of play, Paris FC struck on the break in the second minute of stoppage time. Lassine Sinayoko set up Koleosho, who finished right-footed into the bottom corner. Sotoca shot just wide moments later, and Koleosho was replaced by Emmanuel Mbemba at half-time.

Early in the second half, referee Mathieu Vernice gave Ilan Kebbal offside after a tangle with Todibo, and a VAR check ruled out a red card for the Lens defender. Thauvin was booked soon afterwards.

Cahuzac sent on Hazard and Kyllian Antonio on the hour, and the change paid off almost at once. Matthieu Udol switched play to the right, Thauvin exchanged passes with Hazard, cut inside onto his left foot and struck a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner.

Lens kept pushing. Amadou Haidara went off injured, replaced by Yassine Titraoui, and Paris FC lost substitute Rudy Matondo to injury. In the 83rd minute Thauvin sent a firm low cross in from the left, Sotoca let the ball run through his legs and Hazard controlled it and finished left-footed for his first goal of the season, Le Parisien reported. Nkambadio saved from Junior Kadile in eight minutes of stoppage time, and Lens saw the game out.

What it means

The win is Lens's third in a row in Ligue 1, coming three days after a 3-0 Champions League defeat at Club Brugge. The run began with a 2-1 win over Lyon earlier this month, and Cahuzac's side now have 13 points, one behind Paris FC, according to BBC Sport's table.

Paris FC started the night level on points at the top and stay on 14 after their second league defeat. They had won 4-3 against Rennes in their previous game.

What's next

Lens go to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for the derby against Lille on Friday. Lille beat Le Havre 1-0 on the same ground earlier this month. Paris FC host Monaco at the Stade Jean-Bouin on Sunday 1 November. Elsewhere in Matchday 8, Nice won 2-1 at Brest on Friday.

Follow BetAlert: Telegram · WhatsApp · Discord — and check any betting account for free at BetAlert.