Lyon vs Lens 1-0 (Delgado goal)

Delgado seals win

Lyon began an important week in their season with a hard-fought win over Lens at Stade Gerland.

The home side had to overcome a slow start before substitute Cesar Delgado scored the game’s only goal after 77 minutes to keep them five points behind leaders Bordeaux.

Claude Puel’s side were not at their best but they did enough to ensure they returned to winning ways ahead of the first leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid in Lyon on Tuesday.

Puel, who had seen his side draw 0-0 in their previous league encounter at Toulouse, had opted to start some of his star names including leading scorer Lisandro Lopez and Delgado from the bench.

He was, however, forced to call on both players in the second half as Lyon struggled to assert themselves against a Lens side sat 15th in the Ligue 1 table.

Lens had the better of the opening period with home goalkeeper Hugo Lloris twice producing excellent saves to deny Issam Jemaa.

At the other end Vedran Runje was hardly troubled and his only notable contribution was to save a low Bafetimbi Gomis drive from 20 yards.

Lens continued to put pressure on Lloris’ goal after the break with Kevin Monnet-Paquet finding his way into the home penalty area and firing a shot that required a fingertip save to keep out.

Puel sent Lisandro on after 57 minutes and his inclusion coincided with Lyon’s best period in the game as Sidney Govou and Gomis both forced Runje into saves.

Govou then headed a Miralem Pjanic corner against the right-hand post before Lyon’s increased threat was rewarded with memorable goal.

Delgado was the scorer but he was indebted to a fine exchange of passes between Govou and Lisandro who played the decisive pass behind the defence for the Argentinian to slide home the winner.

Lens almost grabbed an equaliser they just about deserved a minute later when Monnet-Paquet met Sebastien Roudet’s corner at the near post with a firm header but Lloris was on hand to make the save.

ESPNSoccernet.com