If anyone thought RC Lens were fading after that stumble in Lorient, they got a loud, five-goal wake-up call last night. Pierre Sage’s men didn’t just beat Angers; they systematically dismantled them in a 5-1 rout at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis that was as much about tactical elegance as it was about raw clinical finishing.
The headline act? Florian Thauvin. The veteran playmaker turned back the clock, pulling the strings with a goal and two assists in a performance that oozed “elite level.” From the 13th minute, when he pounced on a Saud Abdulhamid flick to open the scoring, it felt like a night where everything would click.
Odsonne Édouard was the chief beneficiary of Thauvin’s vision, bagging a brace that showcased his movement and composure. His second, coming just three minutes after the restart, was a thing of beauty—a feint that left Oumar Pona committed before a calm slot into the bottom corner.
The Breakdown:
• Midfield Engine: Mamadou Sangaré continues to prove why he’s the heartbeat of this side. His long-range rocket in the 37th minute was pure venom, effectively killing the game before the halftime oranges.
• The Puskás Contender: While the game was won, Matthieu Udol decided to provide the highlight of the season. His acrobatic volley from an Abdallah Sima cross was the definition of “perfection in motion.”
• Title Race Heat: With this win, Lens leapfrog PSG to return to the summit of Ligue 1. It’s a provisional lead, but the psychological boost of putting five past a side after a loss cannot be overstated.
Angers managed a consolation through Lanroy Machine, but they were chasing shadows for 90 minutes. This wasn’t just three points; it was a statement of intent. Lens are back, they are hungry, and they aren’t letting the dream of 1998 slip away without a fight.
