Lens sink Nantes as Monaco maintain charge | OneFootball

RC Lens got back to winning ways as they beat FC Nantes 3-1 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday. Earlier AS Monaco kept their own charge for UEFA Champions League qualification going with a 2-1 success against Stade Brestois 29.

RC Lens 3-1 FC Nantes

THE MATCH

Lens were in need of a victory after a run of four games without a win which had seen them fall out out of the top three, but they went ahead thanks to a superb first-time strike from the edge of the box by Colombian wing-back Deiver Machado in the 34th minute. Two minutes later they doubled their advantage, with Adrien Thomasson – the January signing facing one of his former sides – pouncing on a poor clearance in the box to fire home.

Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré left star man Ludovic Blas on the bench, a decision that showed that the visitors' minds were on the return leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Juventus on Thursday.

They did pull a goal back thanks to a magnificent Florent Mollet finish five minutes before half-time, but there would be no wobble from the home side after the break. Seko Fofana hit the bar for Lens before a Charles Traoré own goal secured the points (74’).

This was an 11th win in 12 home Ligue 1 games this season for Lens, who are right on the tails of the top three. Nantes remain a safe distance clear of the drop zone and now their full focus is on Juventus.

THE PLAYER: Adrien Thomasson

Thomasson has settled in quickly since arriving from RC Strasbourg Alsace in January and scored his third goal in a Lens shirt, with this one coming against one of his former sides.

THE STAT: 100

Franck Haise has now been in charge of Lens for 100 games in Ligue 1.

Monaco kept their excellent run of form going as goals from Aleksandr Golovin and Myron Boadu helped Philippe Clément’s side triumph 2-1 away at Brest, for whom Jérémy Le Douaron scored a late consolation.

Arnaud Kalimuendo scored both goals as Stade Rennais FC made a welcome return to winning ways, beating Clermont Foot 63 2-0 at Roazhon Park.

FC Lorient gave their chances of qualifying for Europe a boost with a 3-0 win over AC Ajaccio, who remain mired in trouble at the foot of the table. Bamba Dieng opened the scoring from the penalty spot early on for his first Lorient goal, with fellow January signing Romain Faivre making it two just before half-time and Julien Ponceau wrapping up the points.

Montpellier Hérault SC made it two wins out of two since Michel Der Zakarian returned to the club for a second spell as coach, as they beat ESTAC Troyes 1-0 at the Stade de l’Aube. Both sides had a man sent off in the second half, with Téji Savanier seeing red for Montpellier after Papa Ndiaga Yade had walked for the hosts. Wahbi Khazri then scored the last-minute winner.

>> FIXTURES/RESULTS