Lens move one point behind PSG in French title race

PARIS (AP):

Lens capped a fine week by beating Metz 3-0 yesterday to move one point behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a tense title race.

PSG’s 3-1 home defeat to Monaco on Friday opened the door for rivals Lens, who reached the French Cup semi-finals on Thursday after beating Lyon on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

There are nine rounds of games left in Ligue 1 and Lens host PSG on April 11.

Rock-bottom Metz rode their luck until Saudi Arabian defender Saud Abdulhamid put Lens ahead just before half-time with a powerful half-volley following good work from striker Abdallah Sima, who had twice gone close to scoring.

Abdulhamid then combined with Adrien Thomasson to set up France winger Florian Thauvin for a neat finish from the edge of the penalty area just after the break.

Midfielder Amadou Haidara made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute after playing a one-two with former Metz captain Matthieu Udol as Lens took control. Udol was born in Metz and made 185 appearances at left back before forcing a move last summer.

LYON STUMBLE

After their 13-game winning streak in all competitions ended last month, fourth-placed Lyon needed a stoppage-time penalty from captain Corentin Tolisso to scrape a 1-1 home draw with Paris FC and are now winless in four games overall.

Paris FC almost secured a second consecutive win under new coach Antoine Kombouaré.

Having scored against Nice in Kombouaré’s first game, Zimbabwe midfielder Marshall Munetsi netted in the 62nd. But Lyon got a penalty for handball following a video review.

Lyon trails third-placed Marseille on goal difference.

Hiring Franck Haise as coach has proved a good decision so far for Rennes, who won 4-0 at Nice to move into fifth place.

It was a third straight win for Haise without conceding a goal and came against the club he left earlier this season amid high tensions between players and supporters. Nice fans gave Haise a hostile welcome.

After striker Esteban Lepaul grabbed his 13th league goal, midfielder Sebastian Szymanski made it 2-0 midway through the first half. Rennes showed its strength in depth, with Ludovic Blas and Nordan Mukiele coming on to score second-half goals.

Rennes are two points ahead of sixth-placed Lille, who were without injured striker Olivier Giroud in their 1-1 draw at home to Lorient. Arthur Avom equalised for Lorient in the third minute of stoppage time with a brilliant dipping strike from 25 metres.

Midtable Brest won 2-0 at home against Le Havre with goals from winger Romain Del Castillo and striker Ludovic Ajorque.