Lens top of Ligue 1 after Nice win, aim to push run further | OneFootball

Lens beat Nice 2-0 on Sunday to ensure they will see in the New Year at the top of Ligue 1. Odsonne Édouard scored both, each supplied by left wing-back Matthieu Udol.

On a Sainte-Barbe night, former miners welcomed the teams and Gervais Martel unveiled a giant lamp. L'Équipe notes the mood is to stretch the party for as long as possible.

A lasting image saw the squad arm in arm before the Marek, Pierre Sage beaming with his staff, while president-owner Joseph Oughourlian and lieutenants Benjamin Parrot and Jean-Louis Leca watched from the centre circle.

Lens have led since winning 2-1 at Angers on 30 November and will start 2026 top. Six months ago that felt implausible after Will Still quit on the final day and budget curbs were confirmed, and Udol said they now want to push this as far as possible.

Their 37 points from 16 matches mirror the 2022-23 pace when Lens finished runners-up to PSG, yet Sage wants more. He drove it home in a post-match huddle, flagging next week’s Coupe de France tie at Bollaert against Entente Feignies-Aulnoye, from N2, and the aim to go far.

Lens have won six straight in Ligue 1, and seven in a row at Bollaert, with a 75th consecutive sell-out. Robin Risser, 21, made four crucial saves, and Mamadou Sangaré, 23, hit a 60-metre switch before the second goal on 57 minutes, though he will miss time at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Source: L'Équipe