Ethan Mbappe scored a late second for Lille as they took over top spot in Ligue 1
Paris (France) (AFP) - Ethan Mbappe redeemed himself after his Champions League red card in midweek by scoring a late goal in a 2-0 win over Troyes on Sunday which sent Lille top of Ligue 1.
Mbappe, the younger brother of France and Real Madrid star Kylian, was sent off in Wednesday’s 3-2 home loss to Real Betis in Europe for elbowing an opponent.
The 19-year-old put that incident behind him, though, as he came off the bench against Troyes to seal victory in stoppage time, after the hosts had taken a first-half lead through Portuguese full-back Tiago Santos.
Mbappe celebrated his first goal since December in subdued fashion by apologising to supporters for his red card, but it the strike lifted Lille above Monaco and Rennes on goal difference at the top of the table.
Lille have taken 10 points from a possible 12 under new coach Davide Ancelotti, the son of Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Last season’s surprise title challengers, Lens, have found the going tougher this season in Ligue 1.
A 3-2 Champions League win on Thursday at Slavia Prague and victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the French Champions’ Trophy last month stand in juxtaposition to a difficult early domestic campaign.
They now have just four points from as many outings following a 2-2 draw away to newly-promoted Le Mans on Sunday, which leaves them in ninth.
PSG are seeking their first win of the league season as they head to unbeaten Brest for the weekend’s final match.
Luis Enrique’s side began their quest to win a third consecutive Champions League title by thrashing Slovan Bratislava 6-1 in midweek.
However, they have collected just two points from their opening three matches in Ligue 1.