PSG win the points – and all but secure the title – but Lens have the best tunes

Lens goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca and former captain Yannick Cahuzac introduced the dressing room to the victory chant that has become their trademark: “On les a chicotés (We’ve rattled them).”

The Corsican pair joined the club in the 2018-19 season, when they were still in Ligue 2. They led the team’s post-match celebrations during the pandemic-shortened campaign, when the club won promotion to the top flight. The chant caught on around the Stade Bollaert once fans were back in the stands and it is now sung in unison between players and fans after every home win – an increasingly regular occurrence as the team has climbed up the Ligue 1 standings.

A chant that was sung by the DR Congo squad when they won the African Nations Championship in 2016, and by Sochaux players in 2017, is now unmistakably part of the Lens matchday ritual. On Saturday night, though, it was PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe – in crutches, as he continues to recover from an achilles injury – who took to the microphone to offer the Parc des Princes a rendition of “On les a chicotés”.

The league leaders had beaten Lens 3-1, going seven points clear with just seven fixtures remaining, and all but winning their record-breaking 11th Ligue 1 title. The top-of-the-table clash was all but over by half-time. Lens midfielder Salis Abdul Samed was sent off after 20 minutes for a reckless, studs-up challenge on Achraf Hakimi. PSG capitalised quickly, scoring three goals before the interval. Kylian Mbappé’s backheel assist for Lionel Messi’s tight-angle finish showcased what a PSG side is capable of when in full flow – an all too rare sight of late, with the team losing eight in all competitions since the turn of the year.

Nevertheless, the visitors dusted themselves