Lens achieved a historic tenth consecutive win to reclaim Ligue 1's summit, narrowly fending off PSG's relentless pursuit.
Following Paris Saint-Germain's victory against LOSC Lille (3-0), RC Lens retook the lead of Ligue 1 thanks to its narrow win against Auxerre. But to keep pace with Parisians, the Lensois must break records.
By winning on Friday night in the opening match of the 18th round of Ligue 1 against Lille (3-0), PSG had put pressure on RC Lens, the recent autumn champion, which found itself in second place at kickoff of its match and obliged to win to reclaim the top spot.
It was complicated against AJ Auxerre, but a goal by Wesley Saïd around the hour mark was enough, with Thauvin missing the chance to double the lead and the clumsy Auxerrois missing the target to equalize.
PSG Pressure Forces Lens to Set Record to Keep Ligue 1 Lead
But to retake this first place from a PSG that, nonetheless, has significant momentum with four consecutive victories, RC Lens therefore had to string together a tenth consecutive win, something Racing had simply never achieved in its more-than-century-long history.
In Ligue 1, the men of Pierre Sage have strung together an eighth consecutive victory, which is already a very fine performance.
But despite its record performances, RC Lens still has only a one-point lead over PSG, as Racing has 43 points and Paris has 42.
In goal difference, this weekend allowed the squad of Luis Enrique to widen the gap, now at +25 against +19. Before tonight's Angers vs. OM match, Marseille is respectively 11 points from the top and 10 points behind Paris.
Watch out for the next round with two big matches: Auxerre vs. PSG, which has been placed, astonishingly, on Friday night even though Paris will play Tuesday night in Lisbon, and especially the crucial Marseille vs. Lens scheduled for Saturday evening, Jan. 24. Ligue 1 therefore promises another captivating episode as early as next weekend.
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