Thauvin hits 2 as 5-star Lens survive late wobble to crush 10-man Auxerre

In the end, Florian Thauvin's brace helped make sure it was still a dream start for the new Lens boss.

Match highlight

The home side came into the match full of confidence after their Trophee des Champions win, and they were handed an early route into control when Auxerre's record signing Arthur Piedfort was punished for a needless handball.

The Lens captain stepped up in the 12th minute and converted with total calm, giving the hosts an early lead and setting the tone for what quickly became a very difficult evening for the visitors.

Another Auxerre debutant, Christ Makosso, was sent off after a crude foul on Abdallah Sima just as the forward looked ready to burst into the box. So before half-time, Will Still, facing his former club in his first competitive game as Auxerre manager, was already left dealing with 2 damaging moments caused by summer arrivals.

Whatever he said at half-time did not stop Lens from pulling further away. Within 10 minutes of the restart, the game appeared to be over.

First, Franjo Ivanovic combined smartly with Sima, then skipped past his marker and fired beyond Diop for his 1st Ligue 1 goal. Not long after, the Benfica loanee helped carve open Auxerre again, sliding a precise pass through for Thauvin, who then squared for Saud Abdulhamid to head home.

That goal was initially ruled out for offside, but once it stood, Lens were 3-0 up and cruising.

With the points almost secured, a little complacency crept into Lens' game and Auxerre suddenly found life. Danny Namaso pulled 1 back from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box, and then Ismaelo Ganiou bundled in after a delivery from substitute Michal Skoras.

Soon after, another Auxerre substitute made an impact when Rayan Mandengue picked out Lamine Sy, who finished to cut the gap even further. From nowhere, a match that looked dead had become noisy and slightly nervous again.

Lens got it through Thauvin, who won and then converted a 2nd penalty of the night, though only after Diop had come off his line to save the first attempt. Thauvin tucked away the rebound into the bottom corner and finally shut the door for good.

The 5-goal haul marked the first time in 21 years they had scored at least 5 in a top-flight meeting with Auxerre, and it gave Toppmoller the perfect start in league terms, even if the late wobble will leave him with a few things to mention again at training.