Zhegrova brace earns Lille victory over local rivals Lens

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Edon Zhegrova’s brace helped Lille to a 2-1 win over local rivals Lens on Friday night in Ligue 1.

Hosts Lille started the match hoping to move closer to second-placed Brest, with Paris Saint-Germain almost unable to be caught in the race for the title given their 12-point lead.

Lens started in sixth, a point behind Nice, as they looked to ensure they would play European football next season after a disappointing UEFA Champions League campaign this term.

Zhegrova gave the home side the lead after just nine minutes when he calmly controlled a high ball as he moved into the penalty area, then steadied himself before curling a shot low into the near post.

Kosovo international Zhegrova was at the heart of the drama when he was fouled by Facundo Medina, who was given a red card for the first time in his career.

However, the decision was overturned on review given the Argentine defender had made relatively little contact with the Lille man.

The 24-year-old Zhegrova made it a brace on the hour mark when he turned in a rebound as he extended his best goalscoring record of any season in his career so far.

Elye Wahi put the pressure on when cutting Lens’ deficit with 12 minutes of normal time remaining, latching onto a through ball before dancing past a defender to fire low past the ‘keeper – but Lille held on for the win.

Lille and Lens remain third and sixth respectively ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games.

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