Paris SG is now seven points ahead of its runner-up in Ligue 1, RC Lens, which conceded a draw in Nice (0-0) Thursday evening December 29 at the end of the 16e championship day. Olympique de Marseille for its part chased Rennes from the podium by correcting Toulouse (6-1), taking advantage of the defeat of the Bretons in Reims (3-1), the first in 18 matches. OM thus come back to within three lengths of Lens.
The Marseillais ensured the show at the Vélodrome, after 45 days of interruption for the World Cup. Valentin Rongier, who scores less than once per season, opened the scoring, and above all Sead Kolasinac scored a magnificent goal, a fine tribute to King Pelé, with a sequence “Brazilian” casters in the surface.
Dimitri Payet managed a skylight before putting on his traditional Santa Claus hat, then Cengiz Ünder from the penalty spot and Nuno Tavares closed the scoring. Téfécé unwittingly contributed to the show with the goal against his camp by Rasmus Nicolaisen with a surprising sequence of two headers.
The Lensois dolphin loses ground on the leader
If OM resumed their pre-World Cup ascent, Lens stalled in Nice after a sad goalless draw. The Sang et Or, who remain runners-up to PSG, missed the opportunity to close the gap with the leader they will receive at Bollaert on Sunday. With the Parisian victory against Strasbourg (2-1) on Wednesday, Kylian Mbappé’s team is seven points ahead of the Artésiens.
Rennes brakes even more brutally than Lens. Undefeated for 17 matches, Bruno Genesio’s men fell under the blows of Folarin Balogun, author of a double including a superb volley, and Alexis Flips, also author of a beautiful volley.
At the bottom of the standings, Montpellier, which had not won since September 17, halted its fall with a jewel of a free kick from its captain, Téji Savanier, and another goal from its promise Elye Wahi. La Paillade regains some air with four lengths ahead of the first relegation player, Brest (17e). On the other hand the “Hake” de Lorient, surprised at the start of the season, are clearly marking time, they have only taken three points in the last six matches and are falling to the 7the place.