Villeneuve-d'Ascq (AFP)

A behind-camera and one-way derby: Lille crushed (4-0) their great rival Lens, who finished the match nine, and seized the lead in Ligue 1, Sunday at the end of the 7th day at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.

Uncompromising since the start of the season, Losc continued its momentum by outclassing the Lensois thanks to goals from Burak Yilmaz (11th), Jonathan Bamba (48th), Jonathan Ikoné (69th) and Yusuf Yazici (79th).

Four days before their entry into the Europa League on the lawn of Sparta Prague, the Northerners displayed great confidence and sent back the promoted Lensois, author yet a very promising start to the season but reduced to ten and then to nine after the exclusions of Jonathan Gradit (57th) and Clément Michelin (75th).

Lille, still unbeaten with five wins and two draws, took the lead in the championship with 17 points, two more than Paris SG and Rennes.

The Sang et Or, who now remain in 11 consecutive derbies without a win, for their part are in an encouraging fifth place with only four lengths behind the Mastiffs.

But on the ground, the gap seemed greater, so much Lille was clinical and solid despite the high pressure imposed by Lens.

After a first foray by Luiz Araujo barely pushed back (7th), the artesian defense quickly cracked: a free kick fired on the left side by Renato Sanches was picked up by Jose Fonte then deflected by Benjamin André at the far post, where Yilmaz deceived Jean -Louis Leca with a crossed head (11th).

Then, several accelerations of Araujo created the danger, but he was first countered (28th) then lost two successive duels against Leca, who preceded him with his foot (43rd) then deflected his curled shot ( 44e).

- Lens has cracked -

For their part, the Sang et Or had almost no situation, except for a sequence of control of the chest-volley of Gaël Kakuta who passed by (37th).

Result: the Mastiffs managed to double the bet as soon as they returned from the locker room and thus knocked out their rival who broke down in a few minutes.

On a cross from Zeki Celik, the two Lensois defenders let the ball pass and Bamba, alone at six meters, controlled before adjusting Leca (2-0, 48th).

The scenario then darkened further for the RCL with the exclusion of Gradit for a second warning (57th).

Lille pushed the Artesians a little more with a third goal from Ikoné, entered shortly before, and which beat Leca with a curled shot (3-0, 69th), on a service from Bamba.

Lens suffered a new exclusion, on a tackle from behind from Michelin, who had just entered (75th), and conceded a fourth goal from Yazici (79th), still served by the untenable Bamba.

Lille supporters, deprived of party in the stands, will be able to console themselves: this 111th derby of the North will be remembered, and their Losc is alone at the top of Ligue 1!

© 2020 AFP