Marseilles (AFP)

The clash promised between the two most attractive teams at the start of the season and it was even more beautiful than expected: at the end of an extraordinary game of tug-of-war, Lens came Sunday to inflict on Marseille its first defeat of the season ( 3-2) and finds himself second in the standings.

This deserved success therefore places Lens in the position of dolphin of Paris SG, light years away (nine points), of course, but the status rewards the quality of play of the Sang et Or in these first eight days.

For OM, on the other hand, this week at one point in two matches was difficult, marked by new incidents in Angers and then by the death in a road accident of a supporter, who had just returned from the Raymond Kopa stadium.

The Argentine coach of Marseille Jorge Sampaoli, during the defeat at home, 3-2 against Lens, during the 8th day of Ligue 1, September 26, 2021 at the Stade Vélodrome Christophe SIMON AFP

On Sunday, the Virage Nord of the Vélodrome sang loudly for him, joined by the Virage Sud and even by the Lensois supporters who also chanted the name of Clément for a moving minute.

Then, for half an hour, we did not recognize OM.

On the other hand, we fully recognized Lens, this physical and remarkably organized team, which Jorge Sampaoli had said on Friday to particularly fear.

- Payet changes everything -

Not disturbed in the least by the Argentinian technician's system, the Lensois settled high, stepped on the ball and, for once, it was OM that ran out of steam and it was not the others who ran.

The punishment came very quickly, from the 5th minute.

A recovery error from Saliba gave Fofana a duel against Pau Lopez, author on the spot of a good save.

But by the way, Gueye had touched the ball with his hand, which had escaped the referee but not the VAR.

Despite a laser and an infernal din, Sotoca transformed the penalty (1-0, 9th) and OM was then in pain.

In the 27th minute, the case even seemed heard when Frankowski put a magnificent shot in the top corner of Pau Lopez (2-0).

The gesture was splendid, but all it took was a release from Leca and an aerial duel won by Sotoca to put all of OM out of position, Guendouzi also sharply criticizing Gerson for his placement on the action.

Very badly, OM reacted thanks to Payet, who confirmed their start to the season at international level.

The Marseille N.10 first got a free kick at the entrance to the area, which he transformed into a goal with a perfect shot (33rd).

The joy of Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet after equalizing (2-2) on a penalty against Lens, during the 8th day of Ligue 1, September 26, 2021 at the Stade Vélodrome </p> Christophe SIMON AFP

- On a wire -

OM and the Stade Vélodrome then pushed very hard and it was like a great blow of the mistral which took the Blood and Gold. After a huge stop by Leca in front of Gerson (36th), Dieng obtained a penalty, transformed by Payet (45 + 3) who, with his fifth goal of the season, allowed Marseille to return to the locker room at 2-2.

Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet equalizes (2-2) on penalty against Lens, during the 8th day of Ligue 1, September 26, 2021 at the Stade Vélodrome Christophe SIMON AFP

The first half had been great, but the best was yet to come.

In a second act of incredible intensity, the two teams played to win, thoroughly, always on a wire.

The match could have turned to the side of OM, when Under touched the bar and in the same minute, Leca had to fold on a beautiful header from Dieng (56th).

Lirola also, with a strike flush with the post (58th), could have given the victory to the Provencal.

But it was ultimately Saïd who decided the fate of the match with a beautiful header (3-2, 71st) on a cross from Sotoca, best player of the match with Fofana, who did a titanic job.

The joy of the Lensois striker Wesley Said (c), after scoring the 3rd goal against Marseille, during the 8th day of Ligue 1, September 26, 2021 at the Stade Vélodrome Christophe SIMON AFP

Marseille therefore stumbled for the first time this season.

The manner is not necessarily worrying, but the players of Sampaoli spend a lot of energy.

And they will do it again on Thursday against Galatasaray.

© 2021 AFP