Monaco go top of Ligue 1 as woes continue for Lens

Monaco striker Paris Brunner continued his impressive scoring form as the French club maintained their winning start to the Ligue 1 season with a 2-1 home victory over struggling RC Lens on Friday. The 20-year-old Brunner opened the scoring for Monaco in the 32nd minute and sealed the win with a second goal six minutes from time.

Lens, however, were unable to equalise, with defender Matthieu Udol pulling one back for the visitors in the second half. Lens now finds themselves in 10th place with four points from their opening five matches of the season, while Monaco have moved three points clear at the top of the standings after four wins and a draw from their first five league matches.

Brunner has scored six goals this season, stepping into the shoes of American international Folarin Balogun, whose transfer from the Premier League fell through. Balogun made a late substitute appearance for Monaco on Friday, making his first appearance since a controversial match against Belgium in the World Cup. Lens' troubles were highlighted by their firing of coach Dino Toppmoller on Tuesday amid reports of a toxic atmosphere within the coaching staff.

Toppmoller's dismissal came after just six matches in charge, after Lens requested structural changes to the coaching set-up. Lens appointed Yannick Cahuzac as their new coach, but the appointment has been met with controversy due to the coach's lack of coaching experience and the lack of necessary coaching license.