Lens leapfrog PSG
Sunday, February 6, 2005
Article summary
RC Lens defeated Paris Saint-Germain FC 2-0 to leapfrog the capital club in the standings.
Article body
By Chris Burke
Goals from Alou Diarra and Jérôme Leroy guided RC Lens to a 2-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Parc des Princes, lifting them above the capital club in the Ligue 1 table.
Anti-racism campaign
PSG were kitted out in a white strip and the visitors wore black in support of the anti-racism campaign but, despite the unfamiliar colours, the Parisians displayed the same lack of confidence they have shown all season, and never looked likely to record their first league win of 2005 against a well-organised Lens team. Pauleta had an effort disallowed for PSG but Lens took the lead four minutes befroe half-time when French international Diarra leapt to head in Leroy's free-kick.
Itaandje save
PSG reacted well after the break and it took a brilliant save with his legs from Lens goalkeeper Charles Itaandje to keep Pauleta at bay. But at the other end, former PSG favourite Leroy pounced on a bizarre defensive mix-up to put the visitors two goals up with six minutes of the second half gone, wrapping up a second straight win for new Lens coach Francis Gillot.
