PARIS, April 17: Lens won at defending champion Lille 2-1 to stay in remote contention for fourth place in the French league and automatic qualification for the Europa League on Saturday.
Lens is in seventh place and three points behind Monaco in fourth, and two points ahead of northern rival Lille in eighth.
Lens started strongly and, after veteran defender Jose Fonte failed to clear a corner, Poland midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski slotted into the bottom corner after four minutes.
Arnaud Kalimuendo, after being saved twice, finally beat Lille goalkeeper Leo Jardim in the 37th with a shot from near the penalty spot that deflected off Fonte.
Xeka headed a goal back for Lille close to the break, and there was some pushing and shoving between players and staff while walking off the field and in the tunnel.
Meanwhile, midfielder Mahdi Camara scored twice as Saint-Etienne beat Brest 2-1 at home to move away from the relegation zone.
Saint-Etienne had conceded 10 goals in its previous two defeats. (AP)
