RC Lens 3-2 Lyon: Hosts hold on in thriller

In a lively match played out at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, RC Lens bounced back from a heavy defeat at Arsenal in the week to hold off Olympique Lyonnais, 3-2.

Lens saw their Champions League season come to an end with a 6-0 defeat to the Premier League leaders in the week, and had to be wary of an Oympique Lyonnais side who were playing their first match since the sacking of manager Fabio Grosso.

They hosts would also have to deal with the absence of Elye Wahi, their star summer signing, after the striker was sent off in last weekend’s win over Clermont.

Les Gones were given hope with fifteen minutes gone as defender Jake O’Brien struck from a corner, nodding Lyon in front, but Lens would respond through Wesley Saïd, starting in place of Wahi.

Prezmyslaw Frankowski came off the bench to give Lens the lead just after halftime, but O’Brien struck again with less than twenty minutes to play, boosting Lyon’s hopes of a valuable point on the road.

Un 𝓪𝓲𝓻 de victoire souffle sur Bollaert 🌬️#FierDEtreLensois #RCLOL pic.twitter.com/smdDV1lch1

— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) December 2, 2023

Frankowski, however, proved the winner, coolly netting a penalty in the 74th minute. Lyon made several changes and pushed hard for an equaliser, but were unable to breach Brice Samba’s goal for a third time.

Lyon thus ended the evening four points from safety ahead of their pending match against Marseille, set for Wednesday evening. Lens, meanwhile, continued their rise up the table. Winners of four of five, Franck Haise’s side are now sixth, just a point off of rivals Lille in fourth place.