Lorient vs Marseille. French Ligue 1.
Stade du MoustoirAttendance16,011.
Tuesday 2 December 2014 21:42, UK
Marseille's attempt to stretch their lead at the top of Ligue 1 was thwarted by a determined Lorient.
Marcelo Bielsa's side had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw at the Stade du Moustoir, and now face being overhauled by title rivals Paris St Germain on Wednesday.
A 10th-straight victory for the reigning champions in all competitions from their clash at Lille will see them take over at the summit.
Marseille only have themselves to blame for failing to take all three points away from Lorient as they dominated the match and created all the chances.
After going close in the 25th minute with an Andre-Pierre Gignac 10-yard drive that was inches past the post, the visitors grabbed the lead seven minutes later.
A superb counter attack culminated in Abdelaziz Barrada playing in Dimitri Payet who rifled a firm shot into the top corner after leaving Lamine Kone trailing in his wake for his fourth goal of the campaign.
Just five minutes later, however, Lorient were back on level terms when Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda brought down Benjamin Jeannot inside the penalty area.
It was then left to Jordan Ayew to beat Mandanda from the spot for his fifth goal in his last eight matches, and sixth overall for the season.
After the break it was all Marseille, but Lorient goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte pulled off a number of fine saves to ensure his side held on for a point.
Twice, in particular, Gignac was thwarted by the athletic Lecomte in the 59th and 71st minutes.
Eleven minutes from time Marseille appeared as if they had finally made the breakthrough when Michy Batshuayi dribbled past Kone and Lecomte, only for Wesley Lautoa to clear off the line.
Marseille's final chance arrived in the 85th minute with Batshuayi firing in a 20-yard attempt that was kept out by Lecomte, perhaps fortuitously by his chin.