Ligue 1 leaders Lyon beat Lens as Alexandre Lacazette scores again

Alexandre Lacazette was on target again as Lyon strengthened their position at the top of Ligue 1 with a 2-0 victory at Lens.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin's own goal put the visitors on their way in the 22nd minute and Lacazette doubled the lead from the penalty spot four minutes later.

The home side started brightly, creating two chances in the first five minutes of the contest.

In only the second minute Alharbi El Jadeyaoui crossed from the left for Pablo Chavarria - but Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes kept the header out at full-stretch.

Two minutes later Chavarria turned supplier for Adamo Coulibaly - but his well-struck right foot shot was only inches away from opening the scoring.

However, the home side were stung in the 22nd minute when Gbamin deflected a powerful effort from Nabil Fekir into his own goal to give the visitors the lead.

It was 2-0 soon after when the prolific Lacazette netted for the seventh successive match, beating goalkeeper Rudy Riou with his spot-kick, awarded after a handball by Boubacar Sylla.

Lopes saved well low down from El Jadeyaoui midway through the second half as the hosts sought a way back in the game.

However, Les Gones had chances to increase their lead, with Lacazette finding the side-netting in the 69th minute and Riou impressively denying Fekir two minutes later.

Lens had the game's final chance 12 minutes from time - but Lopes denied Coulibaly a consolation goal after Lalaina Nomenjanahary had released the former Debrecen striker.