Lens provisionally regain top spot in Ligue 1

RC Lens returned to winning ways against Le Havre (1-0) to return to the top of Ligue 1 McDonald's, provisionally, ahead of PSG's visit to Strasbourg on Sunday night.

Pierre Sage's men back on track

Prior to last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Marseille, Les Sang et Or had been on a 10-game winning run in all competitions. Whilst it came to an end in emphatic circumstances at the Vélodrome, and whilst they also ceded top spot in Ligue 1 McDonald's due to Les Parisiens' win over Auxerre (0-1), they got back on track in front of their own fans at the Stade Bollaert on Friday night.

However, whilst Pierre Sage's side had the lion's share of possession and had more shots than the visitors, it was not plain sailing. Lionel Mpasi was preferred in goal by Didier Digard and he made saves from Florian Thauvin (12') and then Malang Sarr (36').

Matthieu Udol among Europe's elite

It took until the stroke of half-time for Lens to take the lead against a stubborn Le Havre side. It was an excellent goal, from one full-back to another. Matthieu Udol swung the ball across the goal, finding Ruben Aguilar at the back post. The former Monaco man ran onto the ball, driving his first-time volley into the roof of the Le Havre net (45+1). That was Udol's sixth assist of the season; in Europe's top five leagues, only Inter Milan's Federico Di Marco (7) has more. The Frenchman also now tops the assist charts in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

It was a moment of quality and one that was enough to secure all three points, ultimately. But Lens would have to depend on Robin Risser to get over the line. Arouna Sangante (54') and Issa Soumaré (62') both forced the former Strasbourg and Red Star shotstopper into action.

Joint assists leader in Ligue 1. 🎯

MATTHIEU UDOL. ✨ pic.twitter.com/bIsUG1vCXz
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 30, 2026

Adrien Thomasson thought that he had given Les Sang et Or breathing room when he netted in the 66th minute, but the Frenchman's strike was disallowed for a handball from Wesley Said in the build-up.

However, one goal was enough as Lens went back top of Ligue 1 McDonald's, for 48 hours at least. They are one point ahead of Luis Enrique's side, who have the chance to reclaim the lead on Sunday at the Meinau.

The Stat: 46

Lens have 46 points after 20 matches in Ligue 1 McDonald's for the first time in their history. That is an even better return than when they ran PSG close, to within just one point ultimately, during the 2022/23 season. Can Sage's side go one better this time around?

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