The encounter started on a competitive note with both teams looking forward to drawing the first blood. However, it was Lens who took the initiative after 16 minutes thanks to Gael Kakuta’s penalty.
With referee Eric Wattellier pointing to the spot after defender Julien Laporte had fouled a goal-bound Corentin Jean, the Congolese midfielder coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Matthieu Dreyer.
That lead lasted for just 13 minutes before Moffi levelled matters for the visiting side when the 21-year-old Nigerian headed a well-taken corner kick by Enzo Le Fee past goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca.
Jean put his team ahead in the 39th minute as Franck Haise’s men went into the half-time break with a slim one-goal advantage.
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Injury problems have limited the 24-year-old to 10 league outings in this campaign having recently recovered from a thigh muscle strain and coronavirus infection.
⚽️ GOOOOOOAAAALLL! Youcef #Atal cuts in from the right and leaves Leca with absolutely no chance. Le Gym take the lead!#RCLOGCN 0️⃣-1️⃣ (49 ) pic.twitter.com/bY8vkghFG9 OGC Nice (@ogcnice eng) January 23, 2021
Nice held on to victory which ended their five-game winless streak in the French top-flight with their last league win dating back to December 16 when they defeated Nimes 2-0.
Atal s compatriot Hichem Boudaoui was also in action for Adrian Ursea s side alongside the Gambia s Hassane Kamara who played from start to finish.
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Ten minutes later, Pedro Mendes doubled their advantage after slotting home from close range as Leca fumbled a well-taken free-kick by Delort.
Lens reduced the deficit in the 36th minute after goalkeeper Jonas Omlin turned the ball into his net – with Seko Fofona’s shot bouncing off his back before sailing into the next.
In the second half, both teams came out desperate of more goals, but it was Franck Haise’s side that levelled matters through Kakuta’s penalty in the 50th minute. Following Omlin’s foul on Fofona, referee Jeremy Stinat pointed to the spot and the former Chelsea man stepped up to beat the opposing goalkeeper.
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