After having led 0-2 then stared defeat in the face 3-2, OM had the last word. Djibril Cissé scored a precious equaliser in the last minute.

Ideally placed to take their first win in Lens since 2003 and to stick with Nancy (3rd), OM had a terrible period at the start of the second half. Their 2-0 advantage, carved out thanks to a Nasri goal (25th) and an unstoppable shotfrom Cheyrou (29th), did not resist the continued assault from Lens. Concedeing three goals from Maoulida, Mangane & Rémy.
The outcome was looking very disappointing until Cissé fired in an equaliser after a cross from Akalé (3-3, 89th).

Each team had it’s half. And thankfully the final score reflected the equality, even if OM’s early lead looked like bringing them all 3 points rather than 1. OM had refound the form they showed before the game against St. Petersburg, an attacking forceful and efficient football. The style that had made them so unstoppable in the league since the start of 2008. Lens had just about given up as they trudged back to the dressing room at half time. Blown away by two goals and complete domination from Marseille. Samir Nasri opened the scoring. At the start and the finish of the move, the midfielder received a perfect cross Cheyrou and placed the ball out of the reach Runje (1-0, 25th).
Just after the first, the former Auxerre player scored the second goal. Hilton’s clearence left him all his chances and his idea was plain for all to see as he picked up the ball. He moved the ball onto his left foot and fired the ball in along the ground (2-0, 29th).
The joy shown by the OM team said a lot about the satisfaction they felt at having refound their form.
Especially as Lens had not shown any glimmer of getting into the game. Apart from a save Mandanda had to make from a Maoulida header, Jean-Pierre Papin’s team were toothless.
That impression lingered until half time and then something strange happened. Completely transformed and profiting from «  a lack of concentration » fromOM (according to Eric Gerets), the team from the north completely turned things round. The desire they showed seemed to be well above average. In any case, superior to that shown by OM.
OM could do nothing to stop the events. Maoulida slotted the ball in to reduce the score (1-2, 56th). Then Mangane put paid to OM’s ambition, resisting a return from Zubar before beating Mandanda (2-2, 66th). And finally, Rémy, with a stunning effort, made it look like Lens were going to create an upset (3-2, 73rd).
Marseille’s walls had come tumbling down. The errors commited were costing a lot, but the entry of Kanga Akalé was going to let OM leave the match without shame. With a final push the forward, on loan from Lens, went past his defender and crossed the ball into the 6 yard box for Cissé. Neither Runje, nor Coulibaly stepped in and the OM striker managed to offer his team a goal just when they needed it. A precious equaliser as much for their morale as for the league standing.

Laurent Oreggia
Photos : Yannick Parienti

• Valbuena was scheduled to start on the bench, but because of a groin problem his place was taken by Grandin
• Andre Ayew was in the starting line-up for the 3rd time (after the games against Lille & Porto)
• OM’s next game is on Wednesday, in the Coupe de France at Nantes, against Carquefou