1093572_heroaThe two French heavyweights played out a Ligue 1 stalemate at the Stade Velodrome.

Andrew Ayew’s Olympique Marseille failed to beat Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday evening in Ligue 1, but in avoiding defeat, keep alive their chances of a tenth French title.

Having seen Paris Saint-Germain lose 3-2 to Girondins de Bordeaux earlier in the day, Lyon—who started the day in first place—knew that victory over OM would give them clear breathing space at the top of the division.

Defeat for Marseille, however, and they would slip seven points behind the league leaders with only nine games to play.

A 0-0 draw keeps things tight at the top.

Lyon remain in first place, having accrued 58 points from 29 points. Paris missed the opportunity to draw level and are in second in 56, while Marseille find themselves still in touching distance of the leaders on 54 points.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side will regret not having emerged victorious during this tense encounter.

At one point they appeared to have the ball over the line, only for substitute Lucas Ocampos’s effort to be ruled out. This incident—coming inside the final stages—sparked a previously cagey contest into life.

Marseille were furious with referee Benoit Bastien’s decision to overlook the goal and appeared to lose their composure, with Jeremy Morel receiving a straight red for an aggressive tackle on Maxime Gonalons.

Having seen their opponents reduced to ten men, Lyon smelt blood and could have won it late on were it not for a series of fine Steve Mandanda saves.

Ayew played the full 90 minutes for OM, featuring on the left and impressing with both his offensive creativity and his defensive endeavour.

Most impressively, perhaps, he won six aerial battles and made a terrific eight tackles according to WhoScored, the most of any player in the match.

The match was Ayew’s 19th start of the season in Ligue 1, and his 20th performance overall. To date he has scored six goals and contributed two assists.

While the attacker’s future remains in doubt, he has made little secret of his desire to win the championship at Marseille and will be seeking three points when OM head to Racing Club de Lens next Sunday.

 

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