Soccer

Paris St Germain maintain unbeaten Ligue 1 run with victory over 10-man Lens

Ousmane Dembele scored in the fourth minute to seal all three points as Abdukodir Khusanov was dismissed 14 minutes into the second half for Lens.

Ousmane Dembele’s early goal was the difference for Paris St Germain against Lens
Ousmane Dembele’s early goal was the difference for Paris St Germain against Lens (Nick Potts/PA)
By PA Sport Staff

Ousmane Dembele’s early goal helped Paris St Germain maintain their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 as they beat Lens 1-0.

Despite taking the lead through Dembele just minutes into the game, PSG were left frustrated as Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba made a series of great saves throughout the match.

Lens had chances of their own, but their bid for an equaliser took a blow when Abdukodir Khusanov was dismissed 14 minutes into the second half.

Victory sees PSG extend their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 summit by six points after second-placed Monaco were beaten by Angers on Friday night.

PSG struck four minutes into the game when Bradley Barcola hit a dangerous cross into Dembele at the back post and the France international tapped home to send his side ahead.

Lens nearly responded just moments later, but Jhoanner Chavez’s good effort was blocked by Nuno Mendes.

The hosts came close again when Achraf Hakimi played the ball into Marco Asensio, but Deiver Machado made a solid block to stop the Spanish international’s shot and goalkeeper Samba reacted quickly to stop Fabian Ruiz’s effort.

Anass Zaroury had a long-range effort comfortably taken by Matvey Safonov before PSG broke forward and Samba made a good save to deny Ruiz again.

Lens had a great opportunity to level when Chavez sent in a menacing cross for Machado, but his header was collected by Safonov, and Samba was called into action again at the other end of the pitch to claw away Asensio’s strike.

Asensio then hit the side-netting as PSG pushed to double their lead and the forward had another effort well-saved by Samba just before the break.

Andy Diouf had a shot turned behind for a corner for Lens, who threatened again when Kevin Danso’s header flew wide.

Lens were then reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute when Khusanov was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Hakimi.

Lee Kang-In nearly made an instant impact minutes after being substituted on when his effort flew just past the upright, but Lens continued to threaten and had two quickfire chances through Hamzat Ojediran and Neil El Aynaoui.

Samba made another fantastic save to deny Barcola’s curling effort and the goalkeeper was on hand again to stop Mendes as the home side claimed victory.