Thauvin sets up both goals as 10-man Lens beat Lyon 2-1, ending Fonseca's unbeaten Ligue 1 start
Florian Thauvin created goals for Sotoca and Udol as Lens handed Lyon their first league defeat and gave Yannick Cahuzac his first win as coach.
Florian Thauvin was the difference at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday night as RC Lens beat Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 to open Ligue 1's sixth round. The Lens captain set up goals for Florian Sotoca and Matthieu Udol, and the hosts held on despite Udol's late red card. It was Lyon's first league defeat of the season and the first win for new Lens coach Yannick Cahuzac. The match kicked off at 8.45pm in France, 2.45am on Saturday in Malaysia.
Thauvin pulls the strings
Cahuzac set his side up with a back three, with Aguilar and Udol as wing-backs and Thauvin, wearing the armband, operating behind striker Odsonne Édouard alongside Sotoca. Jean-Clair Todibo was not yet fit to feature. Lyon, captained by Corentin Tolisso, started with Openda leading the line and Ernest Nuamah also in the side.
In front of a crowd of 38,153, Lens took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark. Thauvin slipped a pass behind the Lyon defence and Sotoca, making his first start of the season, finished first time with his right foot.
Lens doubled their advantage in the 76th minute. Thauvin's free kick reached the far post, where wing-back Udol rose to head past Lyon goalkeeper Greif.
Nervy finish after Udol's red card
The closing minutes became tense. Substitute Khalis Merah pulled a goal back for Lyon after a poor clearance by Lens substitute Baidoo dropped to him in the box, and Udol was sent off around the same time for a studs-up challenge on Merah. Lens played out the remaining minutes with 10 men but did not concede again.
Lyon's evening was made worse when striker Loïs Openda limped off injured in the first hour. Paulo Fonseca's side remain second for now, behind leaders Monaco, but could slip down the table depending on the weekend's other results.
A first win for Cahuzac
The result was a big moment for Cahuzac, who took charge in mid-September after Dino Toppmöller's departure. His first game ended in a 2-1 defeat at Monaco, so this was his first home match and first victory. The win was only Lens' second in the league this season and lifted them provisionally to seventh place.
The timing is useful, as Lens now turn to the Champions League, with Sporting CP visiting Bollaert on Tuesday.
The rest of the round
Leaders Monaco host Toulouse on Saturday evening, while Paris Saint-Germain welcome Le Mans and Lille take on Le Havre. The round ends on Sunday with Troyes against Marseille at 8.45pm in France, which is 2.45am on Monday in Malaysia.
Key takeaways
- Lens beat Lyon 2-1 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday, 9 October.
- Florian Thauvin assisted both goals, for Florian Sotoca and Matthieu Udol.
- Udol was sent off late, and Khalis Merah scored Lyon's consolation.
- It was Lyon's first Ligue 1 defeat of the season and Yannick Cahuzac's first win as Lens coach.
- Lens host Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday.
FAQ
What was the score in Lens v Lyon? Lens won 2-1, with goals from Florian Sotoca and Matthieu Udol before Khalis Merah replied for Lyon.
Who is the Lens coach? Yannick Cahuzac, who was appointed in mid-September. This was his first win in charge.
Who leads Ligue 1? Monaco went into the weekend top of the table, with Lyon second before this round's other results.
Sources: Eurosport, Lensois.com, Get French Football News, Foot01