Olivier Giroud’s late rebound secured Lille a 1-0 victory over Lens at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, sending Les Dogues into second place in Ligue 1.

The result gave Lille a fifth consecutive home head-to-head win against their local rivals and ended a run of four matches without victory in all competitions.

Lens created the first opportunity, but Thorgan Hazard’s early effort was hit straight at Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer. The hosts responded when Ethan Mbappe cut inside and curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area narrowly beyond the far post.

Davide Ancelotti’s side continued to apply pressure. Soriba Diaoune’s close-range header was saved by Robin Risser, before the Lille forward struck the crossbar after a corner fell to him on the edge of the box.

Lens then regained some momentum. Saud Abdulhamid tested Ozer from a tight angle, but the goalkeeper blocked the shot with his legs to preserve a goalless scoreline at half-time.

Lille started the second half with the same attacking intent. Nabil Bentaleb quickly took a free-kick to release Mbappe, whose attempt was kept out by Risser.

Lens had a chance on the counter-attack after a Lille corner. Florian Thauvin raced forward, but a heavy touch as he approached goal allowed Ozer to advance and clear the danger.

Mbappe was involved again as Lille sought an opening, sending the ball down the right for Hakon Arnar Haraldsson. The Icelandic midfielder met it on the volley inside the area, but Risser reacted well to push the effort away.

The hosts appeared destined to be frustrated when Lens defender Kyllian Antonio stopped Giroud from making a clean connection with Calvin Verdonk’s delivery into the box.

But Lille finally opened the scoring late on. Bentaleb’s long-range effort was parried by Risser, and Giroud reacted quickest to the loose ball before beating the goalkeeper with a bouncing shot on the rebound.

The goal was Giroud’s second in successive league matches and earned Lille only their third victory in their past eight Ligue 1 home games.

The win keeps Lille in touch with leaders PSG at the top of the table. Lens, meanwhile, saw their three-match winning run in Ligue 1 end and remain five points behind Lille.

Robin Risser of Lens was named Flashscore Man of the Match.