The RCL, quickly led after a goal by Elbasan Rashani (9th), overturned the meeting thanks to Kevin Danso (39th), Florian Sotoca (45th + 4) and Massadio Haïdara (58th).

Authors of a full match, the Artésiens have garnered a success as important as deserved which allows them to be able to continue to dream of Europe.

The Sang et Or, who now total 44 points, have indeed temporarily moved up to sixth place, three lengths from Strasbourg, who travel to Lorient on Sunday and whom they will challenge on the next day.

The Auvergnats, on the other hand, have chained a third consecutive defeat and are in 16th place with 28 units on the clock, only one more than the 18th and roadblocker, Saint-Etienne.

Clauss welcomed in triumph

Driven by an incandescent Bollaert-Delelis stadium and which triumphantly welcomed the right piston Jonathan Clauss, called up for the France team on Thursday, the Lensois started the meeting with a beating drum....but they were quickly surprised by dangerous Auvergnats against.

On a cross from Akim Zedadka, Mohamed Bayo made a superb directed control then his shot was deflected by Wuilker Farinez, but Rashani followed well at the far post to push the ball into the empty goal (0-1, 9th).

The RCL was quick to react but lacked efficiency: Cheick Doucouré's shot was blocked by Ouparine Djoco (13th), Przemyslaw Frankowski's recovery flew away (23rd), then Clauss' header ( 24th) and Danso (38th) finished above.

But the central defender did not miss his second chance: on a cross from Clauss deflected by David Pereira Da Costa, the Austrian inherited the ball and equalized with a cross shot (1-1).

Lens continued to push to crack Clermont Foot before the break, like a nice shot from Pereira Da Costa diverted for a corner by Djoco (43rd).

Shortly after, the Auvergne goalkeeper was trapped by Sotoca: while he had remained behind him in the area, the Lensois striker appeared when the goalkeeper threw the ball on the ground to clear, bypassed it to s seize the ball and fired a superb curled shot from a very tight angle to give his side the advantage and ignite Bollaert (2-1, 45th + 4).

Lens defender Jonathan Clauss (d) in front of Clermont defender Alidu Seidu, March 19, 2022 at the Bollaert stadium FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP

Upon returning from the locker room, Lens put the pressure on Clermont and was quickly rewarded: after taking a free kick, which Djoco repelled badly, Clauss sent his shot to the post but Haïdara followed well to widen the gap (3-1, 58th).

The Artésiens then managed their advantage against the promoted who tried to restart the meeting without success, like this shot from Saïf-Edine Khaoui masterfully diverted by Farinez (76th).

© 2022 AFP