Despite the contrasting fortunes of the two sides, Lens couldn’t afford to be complacent, even in the face of an Auxerre side suffering deeply from second-season syndrome, and occupying the relegation zone after posting their worst halfway points tally in the French top flight.
Unsurprisingly, Lens had the first sight of goal, when Saud Abdulhamid sent a quick through ball into space, only for the danger to be cleared.
The next ‘chance’ of note also fell to the hosts, though it was only a tale of what might have been, as Adrien Thomasson found himself floored inside the box, only for referee Bastien Dechepy to wave play on.
In fact, it was Auxerre who came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time, when Naouirou Ahamada fired just a few inches wide after receiving the ball on the edge of the box.
Auxerre’s resistance seemed stable enough going into the break, but Lens continued to probe and finally forged ahead just after the hour mark.
In the end, it was relegation-material defending that saw the Sang et Or get the opener, as a long-ranging cross into the area from Malang Sarr found Wesley Said near the penalty spot, allowing him to chest down and fire in left-footed for his eighth goal of the campaign.
With three of Said’s previous four goals proving decisive in victory, it seemed as though this would only go one way - especially against an Auxerre side that had drawn a blank in five of their six prior away losses.
It was thus unsurprising to see Lens sustain control during the endgame, even though it would have been more comfortable had Florian Thauvin fired the correct side of the top-left corner, as he looked to finish off another dazzling Lens counter.
As the clock hit 80’, Andrija Bulatovic was next to try his luck in finishing off Auxerre, unleashing a strong shot that forced Donovan Leon into an eye-catching save.
He also produced similar heroics to deny Mamadou Sangare’s shot towards the bottom-left corner, but Auxerre were ultimately unable to punish Lens, meaning that wins for Paris FC and Metz tomorrow would leave them bottom and at least six points from guaranteed safety.
As for the victorious Lens, their battle to claim a first French crown since 1998 rumbles on, following a 12th win from as many Ligue 1 matches to see them score first this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Wesley Said (RC Lens)
