Thomasson saves the draw for Lens, second in Troyes
Jan 28 (Reuters) – Adrien Thomasson’s late goal saved a 1-1 draw for RC Lens at Troyes but the visitors squandered the chance to equalize the points with Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain on Saturday.
Thomasson, a second-half substitute, found the back of the net with two minutes left to cancel out Yasser Larouci’s opener and put second-placed Lens to 45 points from 20 games.
Olympique de Marseille, third on 42 points, will overtake them if they beat in-form AS Monaco, who are fourth on 37 points, at the Stade Velodrome later on Saturday.
PSG, which receives Stade de Reims on Sunday, has 47 points.
“We could have done better, we dominated so much against a team that defended hard,” Thomasson said.
“We saved a point but we can be disappointed.”
In Troyes, Lens dominated the ball and created chances but lacked sharpness in the first half.
Troyes, who remained compact, grew bolder after the break and was rewarded in the 50th minute when Larouci scored his first professional goal with a low cross shot.
This spurred the visitors into action and Florian Sotoca came close to the hour mark with a header knocked down by Gauthier Gallon.
Lens finally equalized when Thomasson, who joined Racing Strasbourg earlier this month, fired home after Wesley Said’s attempt was deflected in his way by Gallon.
Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris
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