Lens rout Paris FC 5-0 to go top of Ligue 1

Marseille was widely expected to be Paris Saint-Germain’s main challenger in Ligue 1 this season, but Lens is the team to be reckoned with.

Coach Pierre Sage’s unassuming side moved one point ahead of PSG at the top after a crushing 5-0 win at struggling Paris FC, which was promoted last season but is in 16th spot despite big investment.

While Lens celebrated another clinical performance, Marseille’s chaotic week continued with an equalizer conceded deep into stoppage time in 2-2 home draw with Strasbourg.

Marseille is 12 points behind Lens with 12 games left.

Lens marches on

Unheralded Lens has won just one league title compared to nine for Marseille and a record 13 for PSG, and has no big-name stars.

Instead, Lens boasts efficient teamwork, self-sacrifice, slick counter-attacking and clinical finishing.

Wesley Saïd is not a household name, other than perhaps in the former coal-mining community of Lens, but the journeyman forward is peaking at the right time. He scored twice to reach 10 league goals for the first time in a season.

He opened the scoring from a cross in the 24th minute and then found the top-left corner with a firm shot from another cross in the 38th.

Saïd hit the post and Lens had two goals disallowed for offside in the first half. The domination continued after the break with France winger Florian Thauvin scoring a penalty before substitute forward Rayan Fofana netted twice late on.