Double blow for Lille! Losc revived by beating Lens (1-0) and putting an end to the long series of invincibility of his great rival, Sunday in the 116th Northern derby, at the end of the 10th day of L1. Fighting in the opening period, the Mastiffs nevertheless scored just before half-time from Jonathan David’s penalty before defending their lead tooth and nail.
The Canadian’s seventh goal of the season was enough for Lille to win in a crazy atmosphere after a busy match, during which northern goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier rejected a Florian Sotoca penalty (15th).
Lille, who had lost their three derbies last season to Lensois, have set the record straight and stopped the enemy who remained at 17 unbeaten games in the league. They return to seventh place with 16 units on the clock, five points behind the Artésiens. The RCL, often dominating during the game, was not very sharp in attack and suffered the first defeat of the season, losing the opportunity to get back on the podium (4th, 21 points).
Knight, this hero
In a climate worthy of the Champions League, once not customary at Lille, the game got off to a great start with a lot of intensity, like this muscular intervention by Jimmy Cabot on Jonathan David who earned a yellow card at the Lensois piston from the fourth minute.
The Sang et Or quickly took control of the operations and put the defense of Lille in great difficulty. Logically, they took the first big chance by taking advantage of a penalty for a foul by José Fonte, recovered in speed by Deiver Machado. But Chevalier, coached in the club and already adored by the fans, has further increased his popularity index by rejecting the attempt of Sotoca (15th).
The RCL, however, kept control and multiplied crosses and corners, unable to find the flaw. The only situation was a goal from Loïs Openda, which blocked the Dogues goalkeeper (18th). Well pressured by the Artésiens, Lille struggled to get close, except on a too-crushed shot by David that didn’t worry Brice Samba (25th).
Indispensable Davide
The second duel between the two went to the advantage of the indispensable Canadian striker, who ignited the audience by opening the scoring against the penalty run following a foul by Massadio Haïdara on Benjamin André (1-0.44e).
Returning from the locker room, Losc finally manages to impose his pressure to block Lens and is almost paid off quickly, but Adam Ounas stumbles on Samba (47th), before offering a caviar to André Gomes, whose strike is country (55 °). The Sang et Or ended up reacting thanks to their captain Seko Fofana, whose shot went just wide (60 °), then Chevalier saved Lille again by removing a superb shot from Alexis Claude-Maurice (70 °) from the skylight. ).
The Mastiffs, much more aggressive in the second half, still have the opportunity to widen the gap, but Samba is decisive twice in quick succession: first he steals the ball from David’s feet, before deflecting an attempt by André Gomes (72nd) for a corner.
Lens threw all his forces into battle, but in vain, while Timothy Weah reaped a huge chance in the additional time (90 ° + 4). But that did not spoil the pleasure of the Lille fans who were able to explode their joy a few minutes later and communicate with their players.
