New recruit Cedric Bakambu scored on his debut simply two minutes after approaching as Marseille gained 2-0 at Lens to maneuver to second within the French league.
With Arkadiusz Milik struggling for kind, Marseille signed Bakambu in the course of the winter switch window so as to add firepower to Jorge Sampaoli’s aspect. The transfer introduced quick dividends.
⏱️ 90+2′ FULL-TIME | VICTORY ✅
The Olympiens return into second place after a assured show towards @RCLens.
👏 Bakambu with a debut aim!#RCLOM | 0⃣ – 2⃣ | ⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/U9jsNawbUP
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) January 22, 2022
Bakambu, who scored 48 targets in 71 appearances for Chinese Super League membership Beijing Guoan earlier than his return to the French league, made it 2-0 within the 76th minute. Dimitri Payet had put the guests in entrance with a first-half penalty.
Bakambu, a former Sochaux participant, changed Luis Henrique within the 74th minute. After enjoying a one-two with Matteo Guendouzi, he was completely arrange on the left aspect of the realm and located the web with a left-footed shot from a good angle.
Guendouzi was additionally concerned within the opening aim. The midfielder was pushed within the again by Facundo Medina after Cengiz Ünder rushed down the left flank and crossed the ball into the field. Referee Stephanie Frappart pointed to the penalty spot and Payet — who was in the beginning on the transfer with an outstanding move for Ünder — calmly despatched goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez the unsuitable approach.
It was Marseille’s fifth consecutive away win.
Marseille moved one level forward of Nice, which performs at Metz on Sunday. PSG has a 10-point lead on the high of the standings forward of its dwelling sport towards Reims.
BREST UPSETS LILLE
Brest upset Lille 2-0 to return to successful methods and put an finish to the defending champion’s nine-match unbeaten run.
C’est l’heure d’aller faire un petit tour dans le vestiaire brestois 👀#SB29LOSC 2⃣-0⃣ | #TeamPirates 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/nI9pMM9rDY
— Stade Brestois 29 (@SB29) January 22, 2022
The hosts took the lead on their first assault after solely three minutes due to an own-goal by Tiago Djalo, then withstood Lille’s strain all through the match. Striker Steve Mounié assured Brest’s first win this 12 months by including a second aim from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Lille remained in eighth place, 18 factors behind PSG. Brest moved as much as twelfth, trailing Lille by 4 factors.
Djalo by chance beat his personal goalkeeper as he tried to clear a exact cross from Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel. But the Portuguese defender misplaced his steadiness and fired the ball into the highest nook as an alternative.
American striker Timothy Weah, who has recovered from a quadriceps damage, made his first begin since Dec. 1. He created likelihood for Lille simply earlier than halftime with a cutback cross for Jonathan David. The Canada striker took his likelihood with an immediate strike and compelled goalkeeper Marco Bizot to make an amazing diving save.
Lille dominated and pressed laborious till the tip.
Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec despatched on new recruit Hatem Ben Arfa with quarter-hour left as a substitute for Burak Yilmaz. Exactly 265 days after his earlier French league look, the previous France worldwide got here near snatching an equalizer however his effort from contained in the field within the 88th minute was denied by Bizot.
A careless deal with from Zeki Celik on Franck Honorat then earned the hosts a late penalty that Mounié transformed.
