RC Lens 2-2 FC Nantes

THE MATCH

Nantes were without each of Andrei Girotto, Ludovic Blas and Fabio at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, but the heavily-rotated visitors looked positively unfazed against their hosts who began the day three places and four points ahead of them in seventh. Simon made it 1-0 inside the opening 10 minutes when he latched onto Marcus Coco's knock-down from a long Alban Lafont ball forward and fired beyond Jean-Louis Leca (8'). Leca was then sent off after for a foul on Simon (19') and his replacement, Wuilker Farinez was soon picking the ball out of the home net at the hands of the Nigerian too, this time Simon latching onto Wylan Cyprien's shot to convert his sixth goal of the season (32'). The home crowd continued to make plenty of noise, but they couldn't cheer their side back into the game and it was 2-0 at the break.

Lens come into focus

Whatever Franck Haise said to his side at the interval worked wonders, and Lens had the chance to pull one back soon after the restart with a Jonathan Clauss free-kick, but the recently capped France international right-back steered his effort narrowly wide of Lafont's top corner (54'). To their immense credit, Lens started to dominate possession despite being a man down, and they reduced the arrears when Seko Fofana slipped the ball into David Costa for a fine first-time finish (67'). Lens continued to pile forward and only needed a toe on a drilled Clauss cross to make it 2-2 (71'). Their second goal did deservedly arrive, though. Wesley Saïd was brought down by Lafont in the box and Arnaud Kalimuendo stepped up to convert the penalty (81') and secure share of the spoils.

THE PLAYER: Seko Fofana

Costa and Kalimuendo may have got Len's goals, but this comeback would have been impossible without Fofana's captain-worthy performance from central midfield. The Ivorian, once of Manchester City, has been linked with a return to England, but Lens will increase their chances of keeping him if they qualify for Europe - something they are just two points away from.

THE STAT: 10

Simon is the first player tally 10 goal-involvements in three consecutive Ligue 1 Uber Eats seasons since the late Emiliano Sala, who pulled off that feat between 2016/17 and 2018/19.