Lille is top of the French league, undefeated and with the fewest goals conceded, after beating northern rival Lens 4-0 on Sunday to move two points above defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG has won five straight games but is playing catchup after losing its first two, and still has to play twice against Christophe Galtier's well-drilled Lille which places a high emphasis on teamwork.
Although Lens had right back Jonathan Gradit sent off in the 57th minute, it was already losing 2-0 at this point after goals from Turkey veteran Burak Yilmaz and attacking midfielder Jonathan Bamba.
Lille's Burak Yilmaz, second left, celebrates after scoring during the French League One soccer match between Lille and Lens in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France, Sunday Oct. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Spingler)
France forward Jonathan Ikoné made it 3-0 in the 69th and, after Lens defender Clement Michelin was red carded soon after, Turkey midfielder Yusuf Yazici made it 4-0 from Bamba's second assist.
Coach Patrick Vieira's Nice moved up to fourth place following a convincing 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne, which has dropped down to midtable after a positive start to the season. Midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou, forward Amine Gouiri and substitute Myziane Maolida scored for Nice.
Earlier, Memphis Depay showed Barcelona just what it’s missing by setting up all of Lyon’s goals in a 3-2 win at struggling Strasbourg.
Lillle players celebrate their second goal during their French League One soccer match between Lille and Lens in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France, Sunday Oct. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Spingler)
The Netherlands forward was wanted by Barca coach and countryman Ronald Koeman. He was close to joining during the recent transfer window, but the Spanish giant needed to sell a player before buying him and failed to do so. Barcelona was poor in attack when losing 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday.
Striker Tino Kadewere netted his first goal for Lyon in the 12th after being set up by Depay, and midfielder Lucas Paqueta had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after as Lyon dominated.
The second goal came in the 26th when forward Karl Toko Ekambi scored after a fine run and cross from Depay, who then beat two players before teeing up Ekambi again in the 42nd.
Lille's Luiz Araujo controls the ball during his French League One soccer match between Lille and Lens in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France, Sunday Oct. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Spingler)
Strasbourg replied one minute later through new signing Habib Diallo and Jean-Eudes Aholou pulled another goal back shortly after the break.
Striker Wissam Ben Yedder scored his fourth goal in four games for Monaco, with his 70th-minute penalty earning a 1-1 home draw with 10-man Montpellier. The visitors had midfielder Teji Savanier sent off in the 19th for a high tackle and Ben Yedder had a goal ruled offside minutes later.
Montpellier netted in the 51st when left back Djibril Sidibe fell and English striker Stephy Mavididi ran through from the halfway line before finishing confidently.
Lens' Loic Bade, left, and Manuel Perez, center, fight for the ball during their French League One soccer match between Lille and Lens in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France, Sunday Oct. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Spingler)
In other matches, it was Angers 1, Metz 1, and Nantes 3, Brest 1.
PSG won 4-0 at Nimes on Friday.
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