Multiplex: Thauvin fires Lens top, Lorient hit back, Lille grind out ten-man win
For the first time in 21 years, RC Lens are back at the top of Ligue 1. A clinical Florian Thauvin brace guided the Sang & Or to a 2–1 win away at Angers, a result that lifts them above PSG and Marseille at the end of Matchday 14. Elsewhere in Sunday’s multiplex, Lille snatched victory at Le Havre despite finishing with ten men, while Lorient mounted an impressive turnaround to beat Nice.
Angers 1–2 Lens — Thauvin delivers, Lens rise to first
A night built for big players — and Thauvin answered. The forward unleashed a superb strike into the top corner just before the break (45’), before doubling the lead with a deflected effort midway through the second half (74’). Angers hit back through Harouna Djibirin (76’), but Lens held firm, surviving a late penalty scare overturned by VAR.
In tribute to Jonathan Gradit, recovering from a double leg fracture, Lens players and staff warmed up wearing shirts bearing his number 24.
Matthieu Udol, to Ligue 1+: “We wanted to be top — we are top. Now we’ll do everything to stay there.”
patience
Reduced to ten after Ayyoub Bouaddi’s red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity (52’), Lille were forced to dig deep — and they did. With Le Havre pushing forward, Hamza Igamane found space at the back post to convert from Kylian Mbappé’s delivery (88’) and secure a gritty three points.
Le Havre looked closest to opening the scoring once they held the numerical advantage — a Hugo Lloris header saved by Ozer the key moment — but their pressure went unrewarded.
orient 3–1 Nice — Soumano shines as Les Merlus surge away
One goal down after Arthur Avom’s own goal (12’), Lorient turned the evening on its head. Laurent Abergel equalised with a deflected strike (31’), before Sambou Soumano stole the show — first sliding in from close range (45+2’), then finishing at the back post for his brace (53’).
Nice remain stuck in mid-table, and coach Franck Haise did not hide his frustration post-match:
“We’re fighting for survival — that’s the reality. We’ll fight with those who want to fight. A team exists only when everyone has that desire.”
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