After an unfair penalty scored by PSG, OM threw all it's forces into the combat to catch and then overtake Paris before half time, and to finally win the game to the delight of the Vélodrome!

Twice as happy. OM win the « Clasico » and thanks to this victory Marseille are now in 4th place ahead of Nice on goal difference.
The night didn’t start off very well though with a penalty given to PSG for a tackle from Bonnart which not only won the ball but was made outside the area. That did not worry Rothen who put the ball into the net twice (as the penalty had to be retaken).
But «  from all bad things come something good  » , no? The injustice felt by OM served them well. They equalised through a Taye Taiwo header, after a free kick from Nasri that Landreau missed completely (36th).
Then after getting themselves more and more into the game OM took the lead when Valbuena played in Niang who fired into the far corner of the PSG net.

What joy ! Who can honestly say that the 3 points were the only things being played for on Sunday night? OM continued their fantastic run of results. The pleasure doesn’t come just from looking at the league standings, which see’s the team in their best position of the season so far, though.
The satisfaction to have beaten their Parisian « rival » adds that extra something that the Marseille public really appreciate. Especially as the team played with a certain amount of style. Not the flowing football of the last few weeks. No, this time round it was the mentality that won the game. OM seem to have great ressources in that domain.
They needed it to go into yet another combat after those played out against Nice and Spartak Moscow. They needed it to assume the mantle of favourites that had been handed to them by Paris. And finally they needed it to dig deep and use their anger and frustration after the award of an inexistant penalty.
The opening goal had, in retrospective, a more positive rather than negative impact. As Paris had up until then shown a great attacking verve and were well in place on the pitch.
OM, played with the same formation as they had in the 2nd half against Moscow (with Cana in defence & Kaboré in midfield) but were unable to break down the Parisian team.
Then their nerves evaporated, making way for the revolt. Started by Taiwo and finished off by Niang, in the space of a few minutes. Perfect, deserved, and celebrated as it should have been by deafening roars.

Marseille had shown their character by equalizing and then taking the lead against PSG. They also showed their ability after half time in the way the controled the game, with some attacking movements, in their desire to win the ball back with Kaboré in splendid form in the middle and the defence being very attentive.
And when PSG did break through, Mandanda was there to mop things up. He also managed to save his team with some great interceptions, notably against Pauleta. Earlier on in the evening he had pulled off a great save from an Armand header. At the other end of the field, Mickael Landreau, one of his « rivals » for a place at Euro 2008, was not up to comparison. Just like, the normally excellent, Hugo Lloris last week.
Thanks to this OM were not really worried by a possible Paris comeback. On the contrary the score could have been aggravated to their advantage. Most notably when Akalé ran into space, played in by Valbuena, and then crossed for Cissé at the back post. The French international was unable to hit the target even though the ground was holding it’s breath expecting another goal. It did not matter though, the victory was won! And the Vélodrome could celebrate as never before this season!

Laurent Oreggia
Photos : Yannick Parienti

• Now in 4th place, OM are only 3 pts from 3rd placed Nancy !
• OM continue their good run against PSG. This is the 7th match in a row in the League without defeat against Paris.
• Next game for Marseille : Spartak Moscow-OM, on Thursday.