Lens Thrash 10-Man Auxerre 5-1 in Ligue 1 Rout
Lens thrashed 10-man Auxerre 5-1 at Bollaert-Delelis, with Florian Thauvin scoring twice from the penalty spot as they moved up to third in Ligue 1.
Auxerre’s C. Makosso was sent off in the 35th minute with Lens already 1-0 up, and the hosts made the extra man count after the break.
F. Ivanović and S. Abdulhamid put Lens further ahead before D. Namaso pulled one back for Auxerre from the penalty spot. But Lens continued to press, adding two more through I. Ganiou and Thauvin, before L. Sy grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
Thauvin’s brace took his tally for the season to three goals, and he was the standout performer on a night when Lens’ 3-4-2-1 system caused persistent problems for Auxerre’s back line.
Lens were the better side even before the sending-off, dominating possession and territory in the first half. Once Auxerre were reduced to 10 men, that control turned into a rout, with the hosts particularly effective between the 45th and 60th minutes.
Auxerre, playing a 4-3-3, struggled for width and penetration throughout, and were unable to build on their consolation goals as Lens saw out the win comfortably.
The result extends Lens’ dominance in this fixture — they have now beaten Auxerre 13 times in 21 meetings, with Auxerre winning just three.
