Second-placed Lens beaten by Montpellier in Ligue 1

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:03 am

Second-placed RC Lens lost ground with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Montpellier on Sunday.

English forward Stephy Mavididi found the back of the net for the hosts early in the second half to lift his team up to 13th on 13 points from 10 games.

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Lens have 18 points and trail PSG by nine points. But they are now in danger of being overtaken by third-placed Nice, who are two points behind following a 1-0 defeat at Troyes but have a game in hand.

Olympique de Marseille, who have two games in hand, will reduce the gap with Lens to one point if they beat Lorient at home later on Sunday.

Montpellier started well and came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute when Valere Germain's strike crashed onto Jean-Louis Leca's post.

In a lively opening, Lens had their best chance in the 28th minute through Jonathan Clauss but the wingback's free kick was superbly saved by Jonas Omlin.

Montpellier were rewarded for their domination three minutes into the second half when Mavididi beat Leca with a low shot after being played through by Teji Savanier.

The visitors piled on the pressure but could not play their usual eye-pleasing quick passing game and failed to really threaten.

Montpellier were close to doubling the advantage but Leca parried another Germain attempt in the 64th.

Lens, however, got some hope when Jordan Ferri was sent off in the 86th minute for picking up a second yellow card for pulling Seko Fofana's shirt but their efforts were in vain.