Lens sweep Clermont aside in fiery affair

Clermont Foot 0-3 RC Lens

THE MATCH

With just days before their UEFA Champions League tie against Arsenal, Kevin Danso was rested as a precaution. The Austrian international reportedly felt a niggle in training on Friday and was therefore absent from the starting lineup, as were Florian Sotoca, Nampalys Mendy and Andy Diouf. 

Despite missing some key players, Lens quickly asserted their dominance with Elye Wahi drawing a save from Mory Diaw (3′) in the early stages. Angelo Fulgini was the next to test the Senegalese international goalkeeper (5′), however, the breakthrough was inevitable and it came thanks to Wahi. 

The France U21 international met Ruben Aguilar’s well-placed cross, looping his header over Diaw who was off his line (11′). Clermont Foot grew in stature as the game progressed and they almost levelled thanks to Grejohn Kyei, but he was denied by an instinctive Brice Samba save (26′).

Tempers flare at Gabriel Montpied

Wahi then ought to have doubled his account on the evening, however, he was denied by an excellent Diaw reflex save (36′) before tensions flared as half-time approached. The goalscorer Wahi received a yellow for preventing a free-kick from being taken and just one minute later he was involved in an altercation with Alidu Seidu. The Lens forward was shown a second yellow card and was sent off, as was Seidu for his part in the altercation (45+3′). A furious Pascal Gastien was then also sent off. 

Gastien watched from the stands as Diaw committed the game-ending blunder. Intercepting a long ball over the top, the Senegalese international attempted to find his defender with a horizontal pass, but it was anticipated by Adrien Thomasson, who intercepted and slotted into the empty goal with a first-time shot midway inside Clermont’s half (50′). 

Clermont remain in relegation zone

Clermont did, however, show resolve, and had the chances to get back into the match. Unfortunately for Gastien’s side, Kyei lacked a clinical edge and couldn’t find the target from two glorious chances. The latter was from just five yards out (63′), but the Clermont forward hadn’t anticipated Samba missing a simple cross.

In contrast, Lens were clinical and Wesley Saïd got the third and final goal, turning Florent Ogier inside-out before slotting calmly past Diaw to wrap-up the three points once and for all. The result allows Les Sang et Or to consolidate their sixth-place standing in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, whilst Clermont remain in the relegation zone. 

THE PLAYER: Adrien Thomasson

The Frenchman drifted out of the game at times, but was switched-on enough to make the crucial intervention that killed the game as a contest. It was his intelligence and anticipation that allowed him to net his first goal of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats season.

THE STAT: 8

Lens are now unbeaten in their last eight Ligue 1 Uber Eats games and they have not conceded in their last five. Only OGC Nice (15 games unbeaten and seven consecutive clean sheets) are on a longer run in France’s top-flight. 

>> FIXTURES/RESULTS

>> SCORESHEET