(Ligue 1 2022/2023): Highlights LENS - MARSEILLE

L'Anse welcomed Marseille to the north of France for an effective face-off for the silver medal, and who knows, maybe even gold after PSG's loss last weekend. The division's best home record coming up against the best away one. OM had just a single point in hand over their hosts at kick-off, everything set for a gripping 90 minutes which had the potential to decide which of the pair would qualify automatically for next season's UEFA Champions League group stage, and which would have to deal with the qualification phase. Of the visitors who started the stronger, Alexi Sanchez thought he'd put them ahead in the eighth minute after robbing a hesitant Kevin Danso in rounding Brice Samba, but the Chilean's effort would be ruled out by VAR for a foul on the L'Anse defender. It would have been only the fifth goal L'Anse had conceded in the first 30 minutes of a match this season, and their escape inspired them to revert to their usual well-drilled home soil. Seko Kovane has been the driving force of his team's surprise bid for a top-two finish, and he led by example again here, nearly opening the scoring midway through the first half, rattling the woodwork with a curling drive. He would have another go shortly before the break, and this time, his well-struck effort again zipped past the dive of Paulo Pez, but this time didn't find the post, instead the back of the net. Celebrating his 100th top-flight game, Wille Senghor in perfect style for a hugely important goal. Marseille had picked up a very impressive 39 points from losing positions this season, set about increasing that tally further, and he would have equalised just before half-time but for a superb save from Samba, Jordan Veretout pulled a low shot from the edge of the area. L'Anse had won a league high 14 times at home this season, but Marseille boasted the best unbeaten run away from home in Europe's big five leagues with 11 games, including nine wins. While Sanchez had to be replaced at half-time, L'Anse re-emerged with the same 11, and more importantly, the same intensity that's kept them in the podium hand of the season. After an intricate 1-2 between Florian Sotega and Przemyslaw Bronkowski, the latter crossed for Lois Openda to head home from close range, L'Anse doubling their lead on the hour mark and perhaps putting one foot in next year's Champions League. At the Belgians' 19th league goal of the season, they scored 10 at L'Anse's last 17, and they reignited their Champions League push. One would prove even more valuable than first thought, Dimitri Payet introduced Leighton and the 36-year-old pulled one back for his Olympia in the 88th minute. Bundled home in his first league goal of 2023 and his 10th appearance since the turn of the year. They haven't scored as a substitute in the top flight since January 2021, but L'Anse would hold on for a 21st win this season, equalling their best tally in a single campaign with that of 97-98 when they were champions and 56-57 in their runners-up. In the second tier just three years ago, they look to be heading for Europe's biggest club competition.