Honours even between big two

Andre-Pierre Gignac and Zlatan Ibrahimovic each netted twice as Marseille and PSG drew 2-2 in their top-of-the-table clash.

Andre-Pierre Gignac and Zlatan Ibrahimovic each netted twice as the top-of-the-table Ligue 1 clash between Marseille and Paris St Germain finished all square at 2-2. Gignac opened the scoring at the Stade Velodrome in the 17th minute and then finished it 15 minutes later, after Ibrahimovic's double had turned the game on its head. An open, flowing first half was followed by a much cagier affair in the second, with both teams seemingly content to settle for the draw. OM were looking for a swift return to winning ways after losing their 100 per cent record in a thumping 4-1 defeat at Valenciennes last weekend, and could hardly have made a better start. With less than 20 minutes on the clock, Andre Ayew released Gignac down the right and the France international ran at defender Christophe Jallet before firing a right-footed shot through his legs, across Salvatore Sirigu and into the bottom-left corner. The lead lasted barely five minutes, however, before Ibrahimovic cleverly volleyed past Steve Mandanda from Maxwell's corner. And moments later the Sweden forward doubled his and PSG's tally, drilling a superb right-footed free-kick into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards. PSG too, though, were pegged back within minutes of going in front, as Gignac rose highest at the near post to direct a powerful header past Sirigu from Mathieu Valbuena's corner. And Sirigu had to be alert to prevent Elie Baup's side going ahead again 10 minutes before the break, the PSG keeper getting down well to turn away Charles Kabore's fierce long-range attempt. The capital club could also have headed in at the interval with the lead, but Javier Pastore scuffed his shot just wide of the right post after good work on the right by Jeremy Menez. There were ugly scenes as the players left the field at half-time, a melee ensuing after OM midfielder Morgan Amalfitano appeared to slap PSG's Blaise Matuidi in the face. Calm was restored by the restart, though, before the teams played out an altogether less entertaining second 45 minutes. PSG substitute Kevin Gameiro blazed wide when he should have done better from Menez's pass in the 53rd minute. Menez was again pulling the strings for the only other chance mustered by either side, his cross deflecting off Marseille defender Nicolas N'Koulou and falling kindly for Ibrahimovic, but the former Barcelona frontman slipped as he made contact and pulled the ball wide of the left post.