Lens Snatch Victory In Le Havre, Closing In On Ligue 1's Top Six
RC Lens continued their impressive form in Ligue 1 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Le Havre at the Stade Océane on Sunday. Goals from Loïs Openda and Florian Sotoca sealed the three points for Lens, who are now just one point adrift of the top six in the standings.
Clinical Lens Punish Profligate Le Havre
Lens started the game brightly and created a number of good chances in the opening stages. Florian Sotoca fired wide from a good position, while Loïs Openda saw his effort saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Arthur Desmas. However, Lens eventually made the breakthrough in the 25th minute when Openda latched onto a pass from Przemysław Frankowski and slotted the ball past Desmas.
Le Havre responded well to going behind and created a number of chances of their own. However, they were unable to find a way past Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba, who made a number of fine saves. The hosts were also guilty of missing several good chances, with Oualid El Hajjam firing wide from close range and Mattia Vido heading over the bar from a promising position.
Lens doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Sotoca converted a penalty after Le Havre defender Isaak Touré was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. The goal effectively killed off the game as a contest, and Lens were able to see out the remaining minutes with relative ease.
The victory was Lens's fourth in their last five league games and moved them up to seventh in the standings. They are now just one point behind sixth-placed Lille and have a real chance of securing a top-six finish this season.
Player Ratings
Lens:
Brice Samba: 8/10 - Made a number of fine saves to keep Le Havre at bay.
Przemysław Frankowski: 7/10 - Created several chances for his team-mates.
Facundo Medina: 7/10 - Solid in defence and played a part in Lens's opening goal.
Kevin Danso: 7/10 - Strong in the air and made a number of timely interceptions.
Jonathan Clauss: 6/10 - Provided width and energy down the right flank.
Seko Fofana: 6/10 - Typically industrious in midfield and helped to create several chances.
Cheick Doucouré: 6/10 - Solid in midfield and helped to protect the defence.
Loïs Openda: 7/10 - Scored a crucial goal and was a constant threat to the Le Havre defence.
Florian Sotoca: 7/10 - Scored a penalty and was a handful for the Le Havre defence.
Arnaud Kalimuendo: 6/10 - Worked hard up front and created several chances for his team-mates.
Le Havre:
Arthur Desmas: 6/10 - Made a number of good saves but was unable to prevent Lens from scoring twice.
Isaak Touré: 5/10 - Gave away a penalty and was at fault for Lens's opening goal.
Amadou Mbengue: 6/10 - Solid in defence and made a number of timely interceptions.
Oualid El Hajjam: 5/10 - Missed a good chance to equalise in the first half.
Ruben Droehnle: 5/10 - Provided some width down the left flank but was unable to create any clear-cut chances.
Jean-Pascal Fontaine: 5/10 - Worked hard in midfield but was unable to get a foothold in the game.
Victor Lekhal: 5/10 - Wasted a good chance to equalise in the second half.
Quentin Cornette: 5/10 - Provided some creativity but was unable to find a way past the Lens defence.
Mattia Vido: 5/10 - Missed a good chance to equalise in the first half.
Nabil Alioui: 5/10 - Wasted a good chance to equalise in the second half.
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