The Japan Times - Lens hold off Auxerre to retake top spot from PSG

Reigning French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain had returned to the summit on Friday following their Ousmane Dembele-inspired 3-0 home victory over Lille.

But Lens riposted less than 24 hours later as they brought their winning streak to 10 matches across all competitions courtesy of a second-half strike by Wesley Said at their Stade Bollaert-Delelis home.

The French youth international's eighth league goal of the season was enough to earn Pierre Sage's charges three points and restore their one-point buffer at the top of the table.

Entering a match not at the summit of the standings for the first time since the beginning of December, Lens started in cagey fashion.

Saud Abdulhamid worked visiting goalkeeper Donovan Leon inside 10 minutes, before the vociferous home fans appealed in vain for a penalty after captain Adrien Thomasson went down in the box when trying to get a shot off.

But it was Auxerre who came closest to nicking a first-half lead when Naouirou Ahamada's strike rolled just the wrong side of the post for Christophe Pelissier's side on the stroke of half-time.

Woken up by that chance, Lens came out more forceful in the second period and only heroic last-ditch defending kept Said and Matthieu Udol at bay.

However, Blood and Gold pressure finally paid as Said displayed remarkable poise and technique to kill Malang Sarr's cross on his chest inside the box before rifling a left-footed strike past Leon on 65 minutes.

In the immediate aftermath to the goal, Lamine Sy fizzed a sharp effort over Risser's crossbar as Auxerre showed they would not lie down even though their defence had finally been breached.

Lens' 2018 World Cup winner Florian Thauvin came close to doubling the lead inside the final 20 minutes as Sage's men looked desperately for a cushion.

Leon pulled off a superb finger-tip save to keep the match to one goal before the hosts passed up two further opportunities in the final moments, with Mamadou Sangare notably guilty of blazing over when well-placed with one minute on the clock.

But ultimately Lens were not made to pay for their wastefulness as they kept Auxerre at arm's length to ensure a 14th victory of the campaign.

Defeat leaves Auxerre 17th, four points from safety.

Later, Toulouse host free-falling Nice before third-placed Marseille try to keep pace with the leaders when they travel to Angers.

Y.Hara--JT