What a game! What a victory! Despite having a legitimate goal from Witord ruled out, OM pulled off a victory that kicks them back up to the top of the table.
This OM-Bordeaux, was a match that Marseille had said they were going to play « like a final ». They kept their promise. A sign of the intensity was the reaction from the OM camp at the final whistle, after the entire OM bench had been on its feet just moments before the end.
This was a real match at the top, and OM were more than up for the combat. They « pulled out » the necessary performance. The explosive mix of attacking flair and engagement. The same engagement that had been lacking against Lyon, in the Coupe de France, a match which was of the same proportions.
A fighting spirit was needed to take all three points and to stay in touch with the leaders. To stop Bordeaux and Paris from slipping out of reach, and Lyon breaking ahead.
Ziani broke down the right wing in style on a number of occasions.
The match got going in the best possible manner with two attacking movements from an in form Bordeaux side who were led by the technical finesse of Wendel, Chamakh and Gourcuff.
Happily enough, OM were able to deal with everything thrown at them. Challenging with determination for each and every ball in the midfield, but also by worrying their visitors at the same time.
Wiltord fired just over, after picking up on a rocket from Taiwo which had been pushed away by Ramé. Then Rodriguez hit a headed effort just wide of the post. OM had come really close, even if, the best chance of the first 45 minutes was Bordeaux’s. Mandanda had to pull of an exceptional effort in front of Cavenaghi (40’). The last bastion had not failed.
After a pretty well balanced first half , Erik Gerets’s men threw everything they had into the second half. Ramé and his team-mates were put under great pressure. But, they may have gotten through the storm without any damage if Chamakh had not brought his contribution, as involuntary as it was efficient, to OM’s victory by heading the ball into his own net following a free-kick from Ziani (56’).
The deadlock was broken. This didn’t, however, mean that the floodgates were open. Wiltord saw his effort ruled out. The forward had won the ball in the air against Ramé, before sliding the ball into the open goal. Ruled out. Why? Had the former Bordeaux player used his hand? All the images ruled this hypothesis out as well as that of an unlawful charge on the keepr.
Buoyed by a goal that would bring them success, the OM players kept going right to the final whistle so as not to risk conceding a disappointing equaliser.
Using Brandao, who won a number of balls in the second half, as a target man, and using the wings to start off their attacks, OM kept in control and ahead.
The Bordeaux keeper had a lot more work than usual and he did it with great panache. Saving from Cheyrou, and pushing away with the tips of his fingers a clever lob from Ziani. He did enough to keep OM from scoring again, but not enough to stop them winning. By standing up to be counted, this OM side proved that they have a future.
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