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| Mandanda the hero as Marseille held |
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Ligue 1 leaders Marseille were held at home by Rennes tonight as both games in the top flight finished all square.
OM moved a point ahead of Lille at the summit as fifth-placed Rennes - themselves just a point further back - earned a creditable goalless draw in front of 50,000 fans at the Stade Velodrome.
It could have been worse for Marseille as keeper Steve Mandanda saved an early penalty from Jires Kembo-Ekoko - though Lucho Gonzalez should have sealed all three points for the leaders when he was picked out at the back post by Brandao but missed the target when it seemed he had to score.
The visitors could and should have had a perfect start when they were awarded a spot-kick after Montano went down under a challenge from keeper Mandanda. However, the keeper redeemed himself when he chose to dive the right way and saved Kembo-Akoko's penalty.
Rennes appealed for another penalty when Kembo-Akoko went down under a Gabriel Heinze challenge but their appeals were waved away much to the fury of Frederic Antonetti.
Marseille then had the chance to go ahead when Brandao was released by Andre Ayew but the Brazilian's powerful shot was pushed away by Rennes keeper Nicolas Douchez.
Brandao then turned provider, heading the ball down to Lucho Gonzalez in the area but the Argentinian's left-footed shot went just wide.
Rennes then countered, victor Hugo Montano rising above Rod Fanni but his header went just wide from Romain Danze's cross.
Rennes continued to attack in the second half, Yohann M'vila picked the ball up 25metres out and fired in a low shot which Mandanda had to be alert to get down to.
Marseille were again grateful to their goalkeeper when he kept out Montano's on-target effort.
However, the hosts should have gone ahead 17 minutes from time when Fanni lost the ball to Brandao who beat two defenders and set up Gonzalez. But with the goal gaping the Argentinian gets his shot all wrong and the fails to hit the target.
The hosts had further chances to claim all three points in the final minutes - Mathieu Valbuena had an effort saved by Nicolas Douchez, while Ayew failed to hit the target on two occasions, the latter a header from a Heinze free-kick.
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