Marseille 2-1 Lille: The Phocaeans battle back to topple Les Dogues

Marseille enjoyed a home victory against Lille at the Orange Velodrome on Saturday. Both Marseille and Lille arrived in good form, having secured victories in their previous matches. Marseille were keen to hang onto their position at the top of the table and extend their winning run after winning their previous two matches against Auxerre away and Clermont Foot at home, by 2-0 and 1-0 respectively. Lille were looking to extend their winning run after a 3-1 victory against Montpellier. Marseille are now in 2nd place on the table and have 19 points while Lille sit in 6th with 10 points after 7 matches.

Les Dogues started the first half well, when Ismaily found the net, 12 minutes in. However, their celebrations were kept brief, as Alexis Sanchez equalised for Marseille in the 26th minute, to take a 1-1 lead into half time.

The Phocaeans once more applied the pressure in the second half and were rewarded, with a goal from Samuel Gigot, at 61 minutes, leaving the final score at 2-1.

Substitutions for Marseille included Nuno Tavares, Eric Bailly, Souleymane Toure, Jordan Veretout and Gerson for Leonardo Balerdi, Chancel Mbemba, Samuel Gigot, Amine Harit and Alexis Sanchez, respectively. Lille brought on Andre Gomes, Mohamed Bayo, Alan Virginius and Gabriel Gudmundsson, to replace Angel Gomes, Jonathan David, Adam Ounas and Akim Zedadka.

There were bookings for Leonardo Balerdi, Pape Alassane Gueye, Samuel Gigot, Souleymane Toure and Nuno Tavares from Marseille, and Tiago Djalo, for Lille.

Lille and Marseille will next play at home to Tolouse FC and Rennes respectively.