Lens move within a point of Ligue 1 leaders PSG after a 3-0 victory over bottom club Metz, reigniting their title challenge.
LENS closed to within a point of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 victory over bottom side Metz on Sunday.
Saudi international Saud Abdulhamid drilled in the opening goal late in the first half. Florian Thauvin doubled the lead for Lens immediately after the restart.
Amadou Haidara wrapped up the victory on 52 minutes as Lens won for the first time in three matches. The result reignites their pursuit of PSG, who lost 3-1 at home to Monaco on Friday.
“There are still a few hills to climb but being within a point of PSG with nine games to go is a good thing in itself,” Lens coach Pierre Sage said.
Metz, who beat Lens earlier in the season, stayed rooted to the foot of the table. They have not won in the league since November, taking only two points from their last 13 matches.
Later on Sunday, Lyon scored a last-gasp penalty to escape with a 1-1 draw at home to Paris FC. Marshall Munetsi put Antoine Kombouare’s Paris FC ahead on 63 minutes.
Lyon were awarded a penalty for handball in the sixth minute of added time. Corentin Tolisso converted from the spot to salvage a point.
“You could say there was a handball, but either way that feels like a defeat to us,” said Paris FC captain Pierre Lees-Melou.
Lyon have failed to win in three straight Ligue 1 games and now sit fourth behind Marseille on goal difference. Paris FC are 10 points clear of the direct relegation spots.
On Saturday, Marseille avenged their midweek French Cup elimination by Toulouse with a 1-0 league win. Mason Greenwood scored the only goal.
Recently fired coach Franck Haise had a triumphant return to south coast side Nice on Sunday. Under new boss Claude Puel, Nice continued their slump towards the relegation zone as they were thumped 4-0 at home by Haise’s resurgent Rennes.
The Brittany club climbed above Lille to fifth. Lille drew 1-1 with Lorient, while Brest beat Le Havre 2-0.