(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights RC LENS - PSG

The previous three meetings between last season's top two, Lens and Paris Saint-Germain, had ended 3-1. Les Songeurs were triumphing on New Year's Day last year, the most recent two going the way of the Parisians. As Ligue 1 Uber Eats Football entered 2024, the reigning champions came into the match knowing that if they could make it 3-1 in terms of the pair's last four meetings, they would move eight points clear at the top of the table, with both Nice and Monaco having lost earlier in the weekend. However, it looked like they might be searching for an equaliser of their own after Danilo gave away a penalty in just the sixth minute, catching Elie Wai in the box. James Spavfrankowski stepped up but hit his penalty straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made the simplest of saves. Paul looked to immediately make amends with an acrobatic effort, but it flew over the bar. Donnarumma was arguably tested more thoroughly from an extra ten yards out, as Wai produced a nice strike and had the big Italian diving to his right. But as is so often the case, if you don't punish the champions, they will punish you. Against the run of play, Kylian Mbappe with a lovely through ball and Bradley Barcola with the cool finish for just his second PSG goal. Excellent composure to dink it, Bionbri Samba. Barcola scores his first away goal since April, which came in Paris against his current club. From there, the Parisians broke into their stride. Carlos Soler testing Samba from a tight angle. And as Barcola looked to burst into the box, things would get worse still. The VAR review saw Jonathan Gladi showing a straight red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. PSG surely smelling blood, going for gold against Les Ingeors. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Franck Azez's men would continue to create chances in the second half. Donnarumma was again called into action. It's time to deny Neil El Ainaoui. The champions not able to rest easy just yet. They perhaps should have been able to, after a nicely worked move ended up with Fabian Ruiz in the box. But the Spaniard, fluffing his lines, slicing his shot, head in hands, not the connection he was hoping for. Mbappe looked to kill the game off, but Samba saved and still Lanz retained a glimmer of hope. But it would eventually be extinguished. And by who else but that man, Mbappe played in by Ousmane Dembele and somehow squeezing home a ruthless finish from a tight angle. Deadly accuracy. And this time the game successfully killed off. So far from a vintage performance, but getting the job done in the end. Mbappe with a goal and an assist as the champions stretch their advantage at the summit. Now in complete control of the title race.