Instant classic at the Bollaert

By: Jay | March 17th, 2008

Sunday’s clash between Lens and Marseille turned out to be one of the most exciting affairs of the drab season. In a comback reminiscent of the recent St. Etienne classics the Lensois stromed back from certain defeat and once again proved they can be one of the most exciting Ligue 1 sides on any given day.

Marseille showed no ill-effects from its embarrassing UEFA Cup loss to a…..gasp….Russian side (Zenit St. Petersburg) in dominating the first half at the Stade Felix-Bollaert.

They overwhelmed Lens early on with their quick passing in midfield, and it was from a swift move that young star Sami Nasri opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

The rising France international playmaker sprinted toward a cross from the right by Bruno Cheyrou and slotted home in a tight angle from 15 yards.

Cheyrou, in fine form himself would double the lead four minutes later when he pounced on a pathetic clearance by Lens captain Vitorino Hilton and curled in a low strike from 25 yards.

The mercurial Djibril Cisse, who seriously deserves to be back on the France squad fired a strong effort into the side netting as the OM searched for it’s third but it would be all blood and gold after the break.

The Lensois scored three goals in a 17 minute period as the visitors faded in the cold damp air of the Stade Felix Bollaert.

Former OM striker Toifilou Maoulida, who is becoming one of the best winter signings in Ligue 1 snapped in the first from close range in the 56th minute after controlling deadly Loic Remy’s cross shot.

And the impressive Kader Mangane, who had earlier missed from six yards out with the goal in front of him, levelled the thrilling affair by running onto Nenad Kovacevic’s through ball, holding off young Guadeloupian star defender Ronald Zubar and slotting home a sweet finish.

it was once again the unstoppable Remy who put Lens ahead in the 73rd minute, the on loan Lyon winger/striker driving a powerful shot in at the near post after Gael Givet stupidly failed to clear. The strike was one of the most beautiful goals I have seen all year long and further confirms the rare talent the young Remy possesses.

But it would appropriately be Djibril Cisse who would have the last laugh by volleying in Kanga Akale’s cross from five yards out and making a goat out of the hapless Vedran Runje who stood like a lifeless statue as the equalizer sailed past his hideous Slavic gait. Indeed, the former OM man might have been accused of helping out his old side on such a stupid error which cost his club the three valuable points to offset impending relegation.

How appropriate that Akale, a man of such immense talent totally ignored by Lens coach Jean-Pierre Papin would make his parent club pay for the error of their ways. The nauseating Lens supporters at the Bollaert were sent home in tears by the man who they had earlier jeered. And indeed it could have gone worse as it appears the officials missed a penalty in the injury period, Akale once again the author of the sparkling run which almost ended in calamity for Lens.

So yet again Lens finds itself firmly in relegation danger even if this week was much more exciting than the recent run of dreadful performances. We shall see what Rennes with former Lens great Olivier Thomert have to say next week……..