Thauvin and Hazard won it for Lens on fewer chances than usual

Lens beat Paris FC 2-1 after going behind, with fewer chances than they usually make and a winner in the 83rd minute.

Florian Thauvin and Thorgan Hazard decided this one, and they did it after Lens had created less than they usually do. Paris FC had led since first-half stoppage time, when Luca Koleosho scored from a pass by Lassine Sinayoko. Thauvin levelled at 63 with a pass from Hazard, and Hazard put Lens ahead at 83 with a pass from Thauvin.

Lens had the ball more than usual, with 56% possession against their home average of 50%. Possession is simply the share of time a side spends with the ball, and it was not where the trouble lay. They took nine shots against an average of 13.1, and their expected goals (xG, a score that weighs each chance by how often chances like it go in) came to 0.9, against 1.63 in a normal home match. They kept the ball, but their chances were fewer and less dangerous.

Paris FC had 44% of the ball, well down on the 52% they average in away games this season. They managed four shots, where they usually take 14, and an xG of 0.43 against an average of 1.79. Only one of those shots was on target, and it went in, which is how a side so far below its usual level still came away with a goal.

Two decisions made by the video assistant referee (VAR) shaped the game without changing the number of players on the pitch. A penalty for Lens at 19 was cancelled, and a red card given to Jean-Clair Todibo at 51 was also cancelled. Neither side was reduced in number, so the figures above need no adjustment for a dismissal.

Three goals is what a Ligue 1 match usually produces, so the scoreline was ordinary on that count. Lens scored two, in line with their home average, and conceded one, below the 1.6 they usually concede at home. Paris FC scored one, under their away average of 1.7, and conceded two, where they normally concede one.

Thauvin was the most active player on the pitch, with a rating of 7.9, nine duels won, two shots and two dribbles. Hazard had a goal and an assist, and Koleosho's goal gave Paris FC the lead before the break. The two Lens goals came from the same pair of players, which is why the afternoon belonged to them.

Paris FC are third in the table with 14 points from seven matches, while Lens sit ninth on ten points from the same number of games.

Player of the matchF. Thauvin1 goal · 1 assist7.9

T. Hazard1 goal · 1 assist7.5

L. Koleosho1 goal7.3

Saud Abdulhamid1 chance created7.0