RC Lens overcame a slow start to their campaign and difficult weather conditions on Saturday, rallying from a deficit to defeat Paris FC 2-1. Thorgan Hazard sealed the comeback with an 83rd-minute winner, lifting Lens to within a single point of the Ligue 1 summit following eight matches.
Playing through driving rain at home, Lens controlled much of the opening proceedings but found themselves trailing at halftime. Paris goalkeeper Obed Nkambadio, making his first appearance since April, turned away multiple scoring opportunities to keep his side level before a swift counter-attack broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. After breaking up a Lens attack near the edge of the penalty area, Paris moved the ball out to Luca Koleosho. Koleosho drove forward, exchanged a one-two with Lassine Sinayoko, and hammered a low right-footed shot past the home defense into the net.
The hosts faced further adversity early in the second half when defender Jean Clair Todibo received a red card in the 53rd minute for a dangerous challenge on Ilan Kebbal. However, the decision was overturned after a video assistant referee review established that Kebbal had been in an offside position immediately prior to the foul.
Capitalizing on the reprieve, Lens found an equalizer shortly after through Florian Thauvin. Marking his 300th Ligue 1 appearance, Thauvin collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a precise left-footed finish past the goalkeeper.
With momentum shifted, Hazard completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute. The Belgian forward met a cross from Thauvin with a decisive volley, securing all three points just days after Lens suffered a 3-0 defeat to Belgian side Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Last season’s runners-up endured a sluggish start to the current campaign that resulted in the dismissal of coach Dino Toppmoeller after six matches. Under the guidance of Yannick Cahuzac, Lens have now secured consecutive French league victories, advancing to 13 points from eight games. They sit one point adrift of a five-way tie for the league lead, a group that includes Paris FC on 14 points.
