Nancy vs. Olympique Marseille

OM have made a habit of starting matches very quickly this season, and they would catch ASNL asleep in the opening minutes of the game. Mamadou Niang, typically, was the instigator, and Mathieu Valbuena, just four minutes into his first start of the season, took advantage of some lamentable defending to shoot home.

This was not to be a half of many chances, with Marseille dominating but never really penetrating their hosts.

Nevertheless, a couple of opportunities did arise, and both fell to Brandao. A header at the back post had goalkeeper Damien Gregorini beaten, but Joel Sami swept round and cleared from the line, while the same player was denied by the goalkeeper only moments before the break after another gross misunderstanding in defense.

Although Marseille occasionally pieced together attractive moves, the game as a whole was largely a disappointing affair in the second period, with few clear-cut chances. Nevertheless, the game was made safe with 13 minutes still to play, Brandao latching onto a good Bakari Kone pass to finish calmly with his left foot.

The roof had caved in on Nancy and OM would quickly add another to their tally to push them further into the ascendancy. Against Kone was the catalyst, passing a ball off to Fabrice Abriel, whose unerring shot found the side netting of the inside of the goal, rounding off a highly satisfactory evening.