Looking to get their surprise title challenge back on track after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Lorient last week, Lens made a promising start as a quick throw caught Angers off-guard, leading to Saud Abdulhamid nodding on a bouncing ball for Thauvin to finish expertly from close range.
The hosts were looking dangerous as Odsonne Edouard passed up a golden chance to convert from inside the six-yard box, but just moments later, the forward doubled his side’s advantage.
A loose pass from Ousmane Camara was seized upon by Thauvin, allowing the forward to play a first-time ball to Edouard, who nutmegged his marker with one touch before dinking over Oumar Pona with another, meaning he has now struck before half-time in 10 of his 11 scoring appearances this season.
Amine Sbai threatened at the other end, but after Mamadou Sangare had forced Pona to tip onto his crossbar, the midfielder extended Lens’ lead with a strike from range that flew into the top-right corner.
And just three minutes after the break, Edouard made it four, receiving a delightful threaded pass from Thauvin before faking a shot and slotting past Pona.
Nonetheless, Angers bagged a consolation after 62 minutes, as Lanroy Machine adjusted well to turn in Lilian Raolisoa’s low, driven cross.
However, the goal of the night arguably came from Matthieu Udol, who acrobatically stretched to guide home Abdallah Sima’s lofted cross on the volley, in what proved to be the last meaningful action as Pierre Sage’s side coasted to an emphatic win.
Dreaming of a first Ligue 1 triumph since 1997/98, Lens have now won 13 of their last 14 games against sides starting the match in the bottom half of the table.
An identical record in their last 14 encounters at Stade Bollaert-Delelis highlights why Les Sang et Or currently find themselves two points clear of Paris Saint-Germain, albeit having played two more games.
Meanwhile, Angers are yet to beat a top-eight side this season (D3, L9), leaving hopes of a first top-half finish since 2015/16 looking increasingly fanciful. After five defeats in six league outings, Les Scoïstes find themselves 12th in midtable obscurity.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Florian Thauvin (Lens)
