Lens (AFP)

We don't stop RC Lens anymore!

The surprisingly promoted rose to 2nd provisional rank, ahead of Paris SG, after his success against Saint-Etienne (2-0), who finished nine, Saturday during the 6th day of Ligue 1.

The Lensois, who have not lost since the first day, won thanks to a penalty converted by playmaker Gaël Kakuta (15th) and a header from Florian Sotoca (81st).

But to the result, the Sang et Or added the manner, by realizing a very good performance in the game, facilitated by the exclusions of Timothée Kolodziejczak (14th) and Wahbi Khazri (64th).

With 13 points on the clock, the RCL doubles the PSG (12 pts) and returns to the height of the leader Rennes, who receives Reims on Sunday (5 p.m.).

Promising before an enticing derby in Lille after the break.

A week after a stinging defeat at home against Rennes (3-0), the Greens recorded their second setback of the season, to fall to seventh place (10 points).

The Artesians started the game with a bang and almost opened the scoring in the second minute: on a cross from Jonathan Clauss, Sotoca let the ball pass and Kolodziejczak deflected it flush with his post.

A few minutes later, the Saint-Etienne defender changed the scenario of the meeting: he tackled Ignatius Ganago in the box and conceded a penalty.

After the exit on injury of the Lensois striker, hit in an ankle, and the use of video, he was excluded by the referee.

Kakuta then did not tremble to score his fourth goal of the season from a penalty spot and put Lens on the path to success (1-0, 15th).

- Saint-Etienne at 9 against 11 -

In the process, the Artésiens thought to widen the gap by Facundo Medina on a free kick from Kakuta, but the goal was finally refused by the VAR for an offside of the Argentine defender (20th).

The Lensoise offensives continued with two attempts by Sotoca: the first was repelled by Jessy Moulin (25th) and the second countered in extremis (32nd).

Then it took a rescue of Harold Moukoudi in front of Simon Banza who was alone against goal (33rd).

For the Greens, the only opportunity was a strike from Denis Bouanga well captured by Jean-Louis Leca (4th).

From the resumption, Moulin kept his team in the match by superbly pushing a header from Banza on Sotoca, who did not frame his recovery (46th).

As the match began to wane, Khazri, who entered the break in place of Adil Aouchiche, received a direct red card for a poorly controlled tackle on Jonathan Gradit, leaving his teammates 9 against 11 (64th) .

Logically, Lens continued its domination and ended up being rewarded: on yet another corner, Sotoca placed a winning header to widen the gap and ensure the victory of RCL (2-0, 81st).

With this new success, Lens will be able to calmly prepare for its next match, the highly anticipated North derby against Lille, scheduled in two weeks at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium.

© 2020 AFP