|
|
|
 |
 |
| Marseille held by improving Lens |
 |
Defending champions Marseille lost ground in this season's Ligue 1 title race as they were held by improving Lens at the Stade Velodrome.
OM's defeat to Paris St Germain last weekend ended a run of eight games unbeaten but they failed to provide a winning response as Stephane Mbia's sixth-minute opener was cancelled out by Eduardo in the 57th minute.
Marseille are three points behind leaders Brest with a game in hand, while Lens remain in the bottom three but are now unbeaten in five matches despite a lengthy injury list.
Didier Deschamps' men could not have wished for a better start as Lucho Gonzalez's corner was helped on by fellow Argentinian Gabriel Heinze to Mbia, who fired a shot past former Marseille goalkeeper Vedran Runje.
Lens defender Eric Chelle made a crucial block to deflect Loic Remy's shot wide in the 18th minute following good approach work from Andre Ayew.
The home side were well on top and Ghana international Ayew went close three minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box before Lens carved out their first - and only - decent opportunity of the first half with five minutes left as Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda had to get down well to stop Kanga Akale's shot.
The hosts started the second half on the front foot as Gonzalez released Andre-Pierre Gignac, but the France forward was off target with his effort from the edge of the area.
The failure to add a second came back to haunt Marseille as Brazilian forward Eduardo got off the mark for the season, capitalising on hesitancy from the home defence to beat Mandanda.
Jordan Ayew almost restored Marseille's lead with a shot just wide after good approach play from Gonzalez and Brandao in the 78th minute and his brother Andre had a gilt-edged chance to win it with a minute to go when he fired wide with only Runje to beat.
Incredibly, it could have got even worse for Marseille as Toifilou Maoulida burst clear in the fourth minute of time added on and took the ball round Mandanda, but Heinze got back to clear the shot away from danger as the match finished to a chorus of boos from the home fans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
