Recap: Hojbjerg stunner seals dramatic Marseille win over Lens
Match Reports
Goals from Valentin Rongier, Luis Henrique, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg got Marseille back to winning ways against RC Lens in a dramatic 3-1 victory.
Marseille got back to winning ways after returning from the international break with a convincing win over Will Still's Lens side at Stade Bollaert. Going into the game, Roberto De Zerbi's side were endeavouring to get over a surprise loss to Auxerre at home (3-1) and consolidate their podium spot in Ligue 1. Meanwhile, Will Still's men were looking to improve on their 8th spot and continue their great form whenever they played Marseille on home soil.
The first half saw plenty of action, with Lens creating several chances to go ahead via Nzola, Pereira Da Costa, as well as Medina very early on. Yet, Les Olympiens held resolute and thanked a vigilant Geronimo Rulli. Neal Maupay missed a great chance to open the scoring one on one with Samba, but couldn't quite strike across the ball. It painted much of the picture for the first period, which saw both side's lack precision in their final strikes on goal.
Right out the gates for the second half, Luis Henrique tested Samba with a dangerous cross in front of goal. Only a minute later the deadlock would be broken. It was an unlikely goalscorer in Valentin Rongier, who was fed by Neal Maupay after a cross-shot from Mason Greenwood and the French finished low past Samba (48'). It was a lead which emboldened the away side, who hadn't won on Lensois soil in two years. De Zerbi's men would push immediately for a second, and would appeal fervently for a penalty over a handball - waved away by the referee.
A goal frenzy in the second half
As soon as Lens could muster any fightback, Les Olympiens would strike again. Neal Maupay once again provided the key ball, this time teeing up Luis Henrique for an unstoppable strike to double the lead (56'). A triple change would come for Will Still's side, and whilst OM tried to retain their dominance, it was Les Sang & Or who grabbed a goal to get back into the game via Angelo Fulgini's strike on the rebound (80').
The drama wouldn't stop there. Lens thought they found an equalising goal when Labeau Lascary turned in Fulgini's cross - yet it would be ruled out for an earlier foul on Bilal Nadir (86'). Then, referee Eric Wattellier pulled back play for an OM freekick. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg then stepped up on the edge of the box, and the Dane emphatically drilled home to restore OM's two-goal advantage (89'). The strike effectively sealed all three points for OM, who consolidated their podium spot and now are only three points off Monaco in second place.
THE STAT: DE ZERBISM IS BACK?
Only Marcelo Bielsa (28) and Jorge Sampaoli (24) have earned more points than Roberto De Zerbi (23) after Marseille's first 12 games in a season in the 21st Century. Marseille have now won six of their first seven away matches for the first time in their history.
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