AS Monaco preserved their undefeated start to the campaign and climbed back to the summit of the Ligue 1 standings by securing a 2-1 win over RC Lens. The loss signified the start of Yannick Cahuzac’s tenure as Lens manager.
Monaco had to endure multiple goals being chalked off before they finally broke the deadlock. Paris Brunner ultimately scored the opener after Matthis Abline set up the chance, but Lens improved after the interval and equalised through Matthieu Udol.
The away side then looked capable of seizing control, but Monaco eventually claimed the win when Jonathan Gradit turned a duel involving Brunner into an own goal.
Monaco ahead after a frantic first half
Monaco repeatedly put the ball in the net before finally having a goal count. Matthis Abline initially beat Robin Risser but was clearly offside, while Edan Diop also scored from an offside position after Paris Brunner had been involved in the build-up.
The opener eventually arrived from the same partnership. Abline got past Jean-Clair Todibo on the right before squaring the ball for an unmarked Brunner, who converted to claim his sixth goal of the season.
Brunner was quickly involved again when Aleksandr Golovin sent him through, but Risser made the save. Abline could not convert the rebound, sending his attempt harmlessly wide. Denis Zakaria then tested the Lens goalkeeper as Monaco kept generating chances.
Abline seemed to score again later in the half, but once more he had drifted offside. Monaco therefore went into the break with only one goal despite creating several opportunities.
Lens respond after Yannick Cahuzac adjustments
Lens improved after the interval following a switch to a back four and the withdrawal of Todibo. Their growing confidence was rewarded when Matthieu Udol escaped his marker at a corner and headed Florian Thauvin’s delivery into the near post.
The equaliser shifted the momentum as Lens began to threaten more frequently. Junior Kadile got past Vanderson before delivering a cross towards Franjo Ivanovic, although the Benfica loanee could not direct his header on target.
Thorgan Hazard then tested Lukas Hradecky with a curling attempt towards the near post. The Monaco goalkeeper reacted well to turn the effort around the corner as Lens continued to push forward.
Monaco introduced the returning Folarin Balogun and Mathys Detourbet, but they struggled to recreate the opportunities they had produced during the first half.
Ligue 1 leaders win through late own goal
With Monaco finding it harder to create chances, Lens had an opportunity to capitalise on their improved second-half performance. Instead, a defensive mistake handed Filipe Luís’ side the decisive goal.
Jonathan Gradit, who had replaced Todibo at half-time, challenged Brunner for a header. Although the German could not reach the ball, his movement unsettled Gradit enough for the Lens defender to turn it into his own net.
That goal gave Monaco a narrow 2-1 victory and preserved their unbeaten start to the season. The result also sent them back to the top of Ligue 1, while Lens began the Yannick Cahuzac era with defeat.