Recap: Barcola strike hands PSG win over Lens

Bradley Barcola's late strike earned a vital win for Les Parisiens on the road at RC Lens to extend their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table.

After securing a hard-fought win over fifth tier side FC Espaly in the Coupe de France, Les Parisiens travelled to Stade Bollaert to face a side that they had previously beaten twice already this season in Ligue 1 McDonald's and the Coupe de France. It would be a third win against the Sang & Or this season, after Les Parisiens came from behind to secure a victory thanks to goals from Fabián Ruiz and Bradley Barcola. 

Lens were determined to get their revenge against PSG after already suffering two defeats against the capital side this season. There was intent from the very start, as the hosts grew into the game and began to create the most dangerous situations in the first half after initially suffering from PSG's willingness to hold on to the ball. Will Still's side then managed to take the lead well into the first half. A corner from Frankowski fell to the feet of Mbala Nzola who was unmarked at the back post and unleashed a low strike past Donnarumma (35').

The second half mirrored the beginning of the first, with Les Parisiens holding well onto the ball and posing issues for the home side. Bradley Barcola had a big chance to get PSG back level, but Lens's man in goal Koffi managed to clear perfectly after closing the Frenchman down. Lens would then have the ball in the back of the net a second time, with Nzola once again proving troublesome for the PSG defence. Played inside, the Lens striker opened up an angle after beating Lucas Hernandez and managed to squeeze in a strike at the near post - yet fortunately for the away side the flag would go up for offside.

PSG mount second half comeback

Only minutes later it proved vital, as PSG found a quickfire equaliser through Fabian Ruiz. Malang Sarr missed the ball completely in front of Bradley Barcola and the winger took advantage to provide a pull-back for Ruiz, who finished coolly with a low strike (59'). Both managers then decided to switch it up with a couple of substitutions as the game looked like it would be deadlocked at 1-1. This was when Barcola stepped up to provide the decisive moment for Les Parisiens. After being slid in by Neves, the France international powered a strike from close range which smashed the crossbar on the way in (86'). Luis Enrique 's side then saw out the lead in the final minutes and injury time to earn their 14th win of the Ligue 1 McDonald's and go ten points ahead of Marseille in the table.

THE STAT: 33

PSG are unbeaten in their last 33 away games in Ligue 1 (W25 D8), only one team have done better on the road in the Top five European leagues: AC Milan in 1991-1993 (38 matches).

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