OM defeated the French champions (past & future) after a head spinning game

Just another three points that OM have added to their stash. OM have done much more than just staying in touch (3 points behind) with Nancy (3rd). Eric Gerets’s team have done much more. They stamped their game on the best team in France. And for the second time this season nonetheless. They gave joy to all, just like the joy that exploded in the 26th minute when Cissé’s missile went in. A joy that was intensified two minutes later by a second goal from Niang, played in by Cissé.
Even OL’s goal just before half time did not spoil the pleasure. Boumsong & Cana, fighting in the air after a freekick from Juninho, put the ball past Mandanda. The one and only time he conceded, his talent stopping Ol from getting back into the game throughout the evening.
In the second half Niang hit the sucker punch that KO’d Lyon, heading in after a Cheyrou corner. An extraordinary win, in every sense of the term.

« Joy to be given and points to be taken. Such was the headline on the official website on Sunday morning. One couldn’t come without the other. Without any doubt we had both.
The crowd lived a dream evening and celebrated it well. Seeing an attacking foursome of Nasri-Akalé-Niang-Cissé who were ruthlessly efficient. And their hearts beat along with the determination of the defensive players.
OM won in the style that makes anybody love football. When the team that wants to win the most does, and to hell with the logic. Most logic anyway. Seeing how week in week out OL show their quality in the League and year in year out since 1997, Lyon have appeared better than all at the Vélodrome.
Eric Gerets’s men swept that impression away. Kicked it right over, right from the star. They gave Ol no room to build up their game, getting back into position with military precision every time the ball was lost.They also put everything into their attacking plays, with lots of movement and intelligence. Kanga Akalé, in particular, showed these qualities. For the whole of the first half, all Grosso saw of the winger was is shadow. The former Lens man gave him hellL. And broke through time and time again. Even if Samir Nasri missed the target from his first chance (14th minute), Djibril Cissé found the spot Coupet couldn’t get to, with great force (1-0, 26th). A cannonball effort à la Cissé. All we can wish him is that his performances will get him to the European Championships.
Especially as two minutes later he showed another completely different quality. His combativity after a shot which was blocked by Squillaci and his feel for the game allowed him to play in Niang, serving him the goal on a plate. The Senegales international fired home sending the crowd into raptures (2-0, 28th).
After such an exciting, full first half hour, the final 15 minutes of the first half were understandably calmer. The difference had been made. OM were sitting back. OL then showed that the game was far from over. The energetic reaction of Alain Perrin’s men brought around a reduction of the score. An unlucky goal. Cana (tussling with Boumsong) putting past his own keeper Mandanda, with a header (2-1, 45th).
Worrying? No. OM wouldn’t be forced to regret the end of the first half. They started the second half well and stretched their lead when Niang headed home a Cheyrou corner (3-1, 54th).
Of course, Lyon wanted to get back into the game. The French champions weren’t lacking in chances. Keita had two enormous chances but couldn’t do anything with them. Steve Mandanda’s class in goal did the rest. Including a floated effort from Kallstrom, that he went full stretch to save.
No, nothing came to spoil the party and this first success over Lyon, at home in the League, for close on 11 years. What better way to really get the final run in started.

Laurent Oreggia
Photos : Yannick Parienti