Marseille keep climbing in Ligue 1 as Lens sink deeper
Olympique de Marseille confirmed their return to form. Away at the Stade Bollaert, the Phocéens beat RC Lens (2-1) on Sunday in round 11 of Ligue 1. A fifth consecutive league win lifts them to fourth place. The Sang et Or, meanwhile, suffered a third defeat in a week.
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The match began with a major defensive error from Lens. In the second minute, Amine Gouiri took advantage of a miscommunication between Samson Baidoo and goalkeeper Robin Risser to open the scoring into an empty net.
Lens responded quickly. In the 20th minute, Florian Thauvin, set up by Florian Sotoca, levelled with a well-placed header. Despite several chances at both ends, notably a shot from Amine Harit and an attempt from Gouiri off the crossbar, the score did not change before the break.
Abdallah makes the difference off the bench
After the restart, both sides kept creating dangerous openings. Marseille gradually lost intensity, leaving more space for Lens. Matthieu Udol's attempts, however, did not allow the hosts to take the lead.
The introduction of Keyliane Abdallah ultimately tipped the match. In the 82nd minute, the young Marseille forward converted a cross from Igor Paixão to score the winner. It was a call from his manager that paid off, after a previous display judged insufficient against Le Havre.
Marseille back near the top, Lens under pressure
This win extends OM's winning run in Ligue 1 to five and to six in all competitions. Marseille also benefited from their direct rivals' results to move into fourth place.
The situation is more delicate for Lens. Beaten for a third time in seven days, after their heavy European defeat by Como, the Artois side remain stuck on 13 points after eleven rounds. It is another setback that increases the pressure around the northern club.