Free-scoring Lois Openda fires Lens to vital win over Toulouse
It took a whopping 53 years for Toulouse to get their hands on a first major trophy and they did it in stunning fashion with the demolition of Nantes last weekend but the way they started the game would suggest they now have a taste for success rather than resting on their laurels.
Les Violets secured a return to Ligue 1 last season and top flight consolidation was always going to be the priority but for 33 minutes they comfortably contained a high-flying Lens side who had lost only four of their last 40 league matches.
That was until Lois Openda, who hit a hat-trick the last time Lens played Toulouse, was at it again, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Massadio Haidara had all the time in the world down the left-hand side to pick out a teammate as Openda got across his marker to nod in from five-yards out.
The Belgian striker had chances to double his tally on the night but was denied by Maxime Dupé, in what was an uneventful second half.
Franck Haise would have been duly forgiven for having one eye on a massive clash with second place Marseille at the weekend but his side comfortably dispatched the hosts as Toulouse suffered their fourth consecutive home defeat.
Les Sang et Or have not competed in the group stage of the Champions League since the 2002-03 campaign but on this form, which now stretches to six wins in seven league games, Lens will know a victory over Les Phoceens on Saturday will put them firmly in the driving seat.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lois Openda (Lens)