Folarin Balogun continued his red-hot start to life on loan with Stade de Reims on Sunday, scoring yet another goal for the side.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (R) runs after the ball next to Strasbourg's French midfielder Dimitri Lienard (L) during the French L1 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and Stade de Reims at Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on August 21, 2022. (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (R) runs after the ball next to Strasbourg’s French midfielder Dimitri Lienard (L) during the French L1 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and Stade de Reims at Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on August 21, 2022. (Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun had been benched for Reims’ midweek game against Angers, probably just to give him a rest after three starts in a row.

If there were any questions about the striker’s performances, he answered them with a goal and an assist in his brief substitute appearance in that match, helping his team to a 4-2 win.

As a result, it was no surprise to see Balogun back in the starting lineup against RC Lens on Sunday, with the away side sitting second in the table. It was set to be a difficult match for Reims, and so it proved.

After a goalless hour of football, Reims were given a boost in the 66th minute as Lens’ Deiver Machado was sent off. The home side pounced, with Balogun giving them the lead a few minutes later.

The 21-year-old showed good composure to sit down the goalkeeper before finishing in an almost empty net.

https://twitter.com/scotlandgooner/status/1566435719039619072

The lead didn’t last, with Lens scoring an equaliser in the final 10 minutes to deny Reims the three points. But the team can hardly blame Balogun for that, as he did his job once again.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northestern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northeastern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Balogun is now Ligue 1’s joint-third top scorer with five goals, having also won two penalties, and assisted another goal. In just six games, that’s a very impressive return for the 21-year-old.

Reims now have the rest of the week off, next featuring away to Toulouse on Sunday, 11th September at 14:00 BST.