LENS, France (AP) — Winger Wesley Said scored a sensational goal on Saturday to lift Lens to its tenth consecutive win in all competitions and move to the top of the French Ligue 1 standings.
Said controlled Malang Sarr’s cross with his chest and volleyed with his left foot after the bounce. Lens beat Auxerre 1-0. The goal in the 65th minute was his eighth goal of the season.
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Lens, which won its only Ligue 1 title in 1998, is one point ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, who beat Lille on Friday.
Auxerre, second from the bottom in the standings, was not intimidated by the lively fans and launched a strong challenge to the home team with fierce pressing.
After several clear-cut chances in the first half, Lens showed more focus and Mathieu Udall, assisted by Adrian Thomasson, almost broke the deadlock. The ball fell back to Udol, who shot again, but it was blocked by defender Frederik Oppegaard.
Udall then sent a low pass to the near post, and Thomasson’s shot went just wide. Lens kept working hard and it finally paid off when Saeed came home.
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Other competitions
Toulouse host Nice later on Saturday, while third-placed Marseille face mid-table Angers.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Lille 3-0 on Friday to warm up for next week’s Champions League clash at Sporting Lisbon. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele scored twice. Monaco lost 3-1 at home to Lorient and suffered their seventh defeat in eight games.
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