Dimitri Payet falls into the arms of Gerson and all his OM teammates. The Marseillais have just achieved a great performance in the game and a nice accounting blow by winning at Bollaert against Lens (0-2). Before the Nice match in Metz this Sunday, the Marseillais temporarily regain 2nd place. The pre-match had been marked by the warm embrace between the two former players, Jean-Louis Leca and Steve Mandanda, both 36 years old and now reduced to the role of understudy. If the "downgrading" of the Corsican goalkeeper of Lens in favor of the Venezuelan Fariñez has just been formalized by Franck Haise, the French international has been used to watching matches from the bench since the start of the season.
Always sober and efficient, Pau Lopez, despite a style that is not always academic, proves Sampaoli right, week after week, to have propelled him to number 1. In Marseille, there are almost no more debates on the goalkeeper . With 81.4% save before this day, the 27-year-old Spaniard thus posted the best percentage of L1. Already decisive last Sunday against Lille (1-1), Pau Lopez succeeded in the intervention of the first period by winning his duel against Sotoca (38th). Well organized in 5-4-1 and sometimes brilliant, OM had solidified their grip thanks to a penalty from Dimitri Payet (0-1, 32nd) which comes just after a two-cushion billiard shot, with the strike from Rongier which hits the bar then... the back of Fariñez and the post (28'). For Payet, this is his 8th goal of the season and the 3rd penalty.
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Marking debut for Cédric Bakambu
If Lens resumed after half-time, with higher pressing and links found on the field, it was Payet who was very close to the double on a free kick rejected by Fariñez (66th).
And more than seven and a half after leaving Sochaux, Cédric Bakambu is making a winning comeback in the French championship.
Three minutes after entering the game, the offensive rookie from OM who had not played since September and his departure from Beijing Guoan in China, perfectly converted Guendouzi's pass (0-2, 78th).
He becomes the fastest player to score after his debut with OM in the 21st century ahead of Payet (4 minutes) and Jordan Ayew (5 minutes).
OM displayed great collective mastery and showed less defensive largesse than in certain matches.
This is the 5th consecutive victory without taking a goal away from Marseille in L1.
Lens, which had the best home record behind PSG, lost for the second time at home this season after losing to Strasbourg (0-1) on September 22.
“Frankly, it's great, I'm going home and I have the opportunity to score, smiles Cédric Bakambu at the microphone of Canal +.
I am happy.
We were serious and solid from the first minute.
The whole team should be congratulated.
We have a good defensive base and for an attacker, it's obviously easier.
»
Lensois captain Seko Fofana was inevitably disappointed.
“You have to admit, OM were good.
They got us in trouble.
It was not an easy game for us.
But it will allow us to learn.
We will question ourselves but without lowering our heads.
»
