RC Lens secured Yannick Cahuzac’s first victory in charge by holding on for a 2-1 win against high-flying Olympique Lyonnais, who suffered their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season.
Les Sang et Or had to defend their lead with 10 men after Matthieu Udol was sent off late on, while Khalis Merah’s first Ligue 1 goal for Les Gones set up a tense finish.
Lyon had conceded only two goals in their opening five league matches before the international break, but they were threatened early at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
After 12 minutes, a deflected cross from Florian Sotoca looped towards goal and forced a sharp save from Dominik Greif. Sotoca went close again midway through a first half in which neither side found much rhythm, sending a half-volley over the crossbar.
The match was the first for both teams following a three-week pause, and it took until nine minutes before half-time for Lens to make the breakthrough.
Sotoca controlled Florian Thauvin’s floated cross on his chest before turning and driving a low shot beyond Greif. It was his second goal in as many matches against Lyon, while Thauvin registered his third assist in his last three meetings with Les Gones.
Lens finished the first half strongly. Greif tipped a Thauvin effort over the bar before making himself big to keep out Odsonne Edouard.
Lyon failed to register a shot on target before the interval, but they tested Robin Risser within three minutes of the restart. Pavel Sulc’s effort drew a low save from the Lens goalkeeper to his right.
The visitors were unable to build sustained pressure, and Lens nearly extended their advantage when Ruben Aguilar sent a swerving effort narrowly wide of the near post.
The contest became more open during the final quarter, and Lens found a second goal with 14 minutes remaining. Udol met Thauvin’s free-kick with a header to score in his second consecutive match.
The goal made Les Sang et Or the league’s highest scorers this season (G11), but their advantage was soon threatened. Udol was dismissed six minutes from time for a poor challenge, and Merah reduced the deficit moments later with his first Ligue 1 goal for Lyon.
Lens survived the closing stages with 10 players to claim a victory that lifted them from 15th to seventh in the table. Lyon remained second, having missed the opportunity to move into first place.
Florian Thauvin was named Flashscore Man of the Match.