Match Reports
Lens edge Le Havre in lively win
Racing Club de Lens and Le Havre kicked off a busy Sunday of Ligue 1 McDonald's action at the Stade Océane, with the visitors recording a vital win even if Lens remain outside of the European places, while the hosts were second-bottom ahead of Montpellier HSC's match against Angers SCO later in the day.
Lens started the match with a new face in the lineup, as new signing Goduine Koyalipou was tasked to lead the line in his first match since arriving from CSKA Sofia in the week. From the off, needing a win to edge close to Lyon after Les Gones' defeat to Brest yesterday, Lens played on the front foot, but it was the hosts who would strike first, as the ageless André Ayew netted for the second time in as many matches, bundling home at a corner despite an initial save from Hervé Koffi.
Undeterred by going behind, Lens continued to batter the home goal -- they would end the half with 14 shots -- but the next strong chance would fall to Le Havre defender Yoann Salmier, who fired over after the hosts failed to clear a corner. Lens' efforts wouldn't go unrewarded for long, though, as Koyalipou headed home a fine cross from Florian Sotoca to level the score, which is where it remained at the break.
THIS IS HOW YOU START A NEW JOURNEY 🇨🇫🎯
Koyalipou scores in his Lens debut! pic.twitter.com/yjRoWEdwtV— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 12, 2025
Lens were inches from going ahead moments into the second half, but a fine save from Arthur Desmas and a goal line clearance from Gauthier Lloris kept the match level. Desmas then had to be sharp at his near post as Koyalipou's low ball across goal was almost turned in by Sotoca. Just after the hour, it was Salmier's chance again, as he got on the end of a free kick, but his header was tame and Koffi gathered easily.
Coming off the bench, M'Bala Nzola had the ball in the net twenty minutes from time, but the flag was quickly up. Salvation would come soon thereafter, though, as Deiver Machado brilliantly headed home from Przemysław Frankowski's cross, the Colombian scoring his first Ligue 1 McDonald's goal of the season to secure the three points for his side.
With neither side still involved in the Coupe de France, having been eliminated in the Round of 64, the two teams will return to the pitch next weekend in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Le Havre away to Stade de Reims and Lens at home to Paris Saint-Germain.
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