OM got back to winning ways at the Vélodrome with a victory against Le Havre.

2009 has started well. Three victories in three matches. After the (difficult) qualification in the cup and the great win against Auxerre,Marseille avoided another pitfall against Le Havre, by going about their work conscienciously against the bottom placed side in the Ligue 1.
A Norman side who, unfortunately for their supporters, lok destined to stay where they are until the end of the season.

The match

In the second half, Koné (who had come on for Kaboré) and Samassa played together up front

Any result, other than a win, would have been a great disappointment, but logic had to be respected. OM having the terrible habit of allowing teams back from the dead  ». Nancy, the last visitors and winners could tell you all about that.
Erki Geret’s men washed away that bad memory on Saturday evening, by putting in a serious match, that’s not to say that itr was boring. There were numerous chances created atthe front of the attack.
The first real chance, was the right one. Cheyrou, in great form oin the midifeld, picked up a poor clearance from the Le Havre defence, then played in Valbuena who was to his right. The call and run was great, as was his right footed shot which opened the scoring (1-0, 25’).
If Frédéric Hantz’s men had tried to confound prognosis up until then, the goal hit them hard. The team seemed to have lost their way afterwards and OM multiplied their offensives.
As was shown by the brilliant pass form Cheyrou for Zenden, who turned Revault but pushed the ball too far in front of himself and in bringing it back onto his left foot allowed the keeper to get back.
After the break, the Belgian coach played another ace, by bringing on Koné in place of Kaboré, in order to kill off the match.
The entry of the Ivory Coastplayer complicated things a bit more for the League’ oldest club. His runs deep behind the defence associated with the holding position of Samassa caused them no end of problems. This was almost crowned off by yet another great pass from Cheyrou for Koné who came up alone against Revault, nut slipped as he was trying to dribble around the keeper.
It was a shame, as just one minute earlier, Dieuze had put the danger into perspective by placing a header just wide of the post of Mandanda’s goal.
The unfortunate failure of Koné was rapidly followed by a success. That of Zubar, majestically heading home a Ziani free-kick (2-0, 60’). Solid in defence, Ronald Zubar found a great way of making his performance of the day that little bit better. A goal that the defender was delighted to go and celebrate with his manager.
With a comfortable advantage, OM were able to relax and perform. The crossbar rstopped Samassa from scoring a third goal before he gave up his place for Brandao. In this very easy debut, the Brazilian foubnd himself involved in a great move towards the end of the match. Ben Arfa (who had also come on) played him in on goal, but Gillet came back to tackle before the new recruit had the time to shoot.
The Vélodrome had held its breath, but the supporters will have to wait a little bit longer before seeing his first goal. Maybe in 11 days time, which is what OM have to wait before their next match in the Coupe de France, away to either Concarneau or Lyon.

Laurent Oreggia