Dominant but not successful, the RCL still managed to score a new success, its fifth of the season, thanks to a goal from its Austrian central defender Kevin Danso (39th).

Les Artésiens, who extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches, were not as flamboyant as during their last home outing against Lorient (5-2), but they provided the essentials against catchy Trojans.

With 17 points on the clock (five wins, two draws), the Lensois have settled into the championship leader's chair at least for a few hours, with a head start on Paris SG and Marseille, who face Brest and Lille respectively. Saturday.

Estac, which remained on two successes and a draw, was not unworthy but lacked efficiency on several counterattacks and remains stuck in the middle of the standings (11th with 7 points).

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In a sold-out and boiling Bollaert-Delelis stadium, the Sang et Or quickly took control of operations and confiscated the ball.

Logically, they created the first opportunity: on a cross from Facundo Medina, Loïs Openda placed a volley which crashed into the post (6th).

Danso unblocks the situation

Then the Lensois will claim a penalty after a rough contact between Erik Palmer-Brown and Jonathan Gradit (10th).

The artesian defender, hit in the right shoulder, had to give up his place in stride: Massadio Haïdara fell a notch and Premyslaw Frankowski entered the left piston position.

Lens continued its domination which proved sterile for a long time against the well-established and solid Champenois.

Finally, it was on a kick that the RCL unblocked the situation: on a free kick from Frankowski, Danso got rid of the marking to open the scoring with a header (1-0, 39th).

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Estac reacted timidly with two attempts blocked in the Lens area after a cross from Yasser Larouci (41st), but the locals quickly responded with a shot off target from Jimmy Cabot (43rd).

After half-time, the Sang et Or continued their momentum, like this shot from Seko Fofana, entered on the return from the locker room, which was narrowly deflected by a Trojan defender (56th).

Then Florian Sotoca found the crossbar with a header (69'), before his volley grazes the post (79').

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But Troyes was dangerous on the counter: after an oriented control, Mama Baldé fired a powerful shot that Brice Samba caught in two stages (59th), then he missed the target (81st).

Finally, Lens managed to keep his goal in advance to win a victory which allows him to appear, at least temporarily, at the top of the championship, to the delight of his noisy supporters.

© 2022 AFP