Lens secure narrow victory against Auxerre to reclaim Ligue 1 lead from PSG

Lens climbed back to the summit of Ligue 1 thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over struggling Auxerre on Saturday evening.

Paris Saint-Germain, the current French and European title holders, had reclaimed the top position just a day earlier with a convincing 3-0 win at home to Lille, driven by Ousmane Dembele's performance.

Yet Lens responded swiftly, extending their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions with a goal from Wesley Said in the second half at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

The young French forward's eighth goal in the league this term secured three vital points for Pierre Sage's team, reinstating their slim one-point advantage at the table's peak.

Facing a game without the lead for the first time since early December, Lens began cautiously.

Saud Abdulhamid tested Auxerre keeper Donovan Leon early on, within the opening 10 minutes, while the passionate crowd called unsuccessfully for a spot-kick after skipper Adrien Thomasson tumbled in the penalty area during an attempt on goal.

Auxerre nearly stole ahead before the interval, though, as Naouirou Ahamada's effort crept agonisingly past the upright for Christophe Pelissier's outfit right on half-time.

Spurred by that near-miss, Lens emerged with greater intensity after the break, and only desperate blocks denied Said and Matthieu Udol breakthroughs.

Eventually, the hosts' relentless attacks bore fruit when Said showed superb control and skill to trap Malang Sarr's delivery on his chest before unleashing a powerful left-foot shot beyond Leon in the 65th minute.

Straight after the scoreline shifted, Lamine Sy unleashed a fierce attempt just over the bar from Risser's delivery, proving Auxerre's resolve despite the defensive lapse.

Lens' 2018 World Cup hero Florian Thauvin almost added a second in the closing stages as Sage's squad hunted for breathing room.

Leon made an outstanding save with his fingertips to preserve the single-goal margin, before the home side squandered two more chances late on, including Mamadou Sangare firing high from a promising position with just a minute remaining.

In the end, though, Lens avoided punishment for their profligacy, holding Auxerre off comfortably to notch a 14th win this season.

Auxerre's loss leaves them in 17th place, four points adrift of the drop zone.

Upcoming fixtures see Toulouse welcoming plummeting Nice, followed by third-placed Marseille aiming to stay in contention when they visit Angers.