The form of stuttering leaders Paris Saint-Germain will have undoubtedly enthused the Blood and Gold in recent weeks, and with this motivation in their minds, the hosts got off to the perfect start after only 11 minutes when Adrien Thomasson was played in, before squaring to Przemyslaw Frankowski, whose effort from the left side of the area found the bottom right corner to give Lens the lead.
This came as bad news for a Strasbourg side who have one of the worst away records in the league this season, and were only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference prior to kick-off.
The early goal aside, there was relatively little goalmouth action in the first half, with Franck Haise’s side very much in control as they aimed to continue their impressive form at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis , which saw them sit proudly top of the home form standings after 29 games.
The visitors unsurprisingly struggled to threaten the Lens goal in the first 45 minutes, as the home defence showed just why they have conceded the fewest goals in Ligue 1 to date.
Much of the second half followed a very similar pattern to the first, with Lens not being particularly troubled by their visitors, while not exactly breaking down the door at the other end.
However, shortly after the hour mark, Haise’s side knew it was time to go up another gear, and they did exactly that when, just after Angelo Fulgini’s snapshot was saved, Facundo Medina gave the hosts total command when his first-time volley from outside the area flew into the left-hand corner to make it 2-0 with 25 minutes remaining.
Kevin Gameiro’s stunning late effort gave Strasbourg hope, but it wasn’t enough as the Blood and Gold held on to move within three points of PSG, albeit having played a game more, while Le Racing, who had Habib Diallo sent off late on, remained perilously close to the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Facundo Medina (Lens)
