Marseille scores late winner at Lyon to join PSG and Monaco atop the French league
PARIS (AP) — Marseille overcame an early sending off and rallied from a goal down to win 3-2 at Lyon amid a chaotic finale on Sunday, a result which moved it level on points at the top of the French league with leader Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.
Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki equalized in the third minute of stoppage time, only for summer signing Jonathan Rowe to win the game for Marseille two minutes later.
The top three are on 13 points and unbeaten after five games, with PSG ahead of Marseille and third-place Monaco on goal difference.
No visiting Marseille fans were allowed at Lyon because of the risk of soccer violence after fan clashes between rival groups in recent years.
Marseille’s hopes were dented when defender Leonardo Balerdi was sent off in the fifth minute for a second yellow card. His first came after just 24 seconds when he went in late on midfielder Corentin Tolisso and the second was for a clumsy challenge on striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saved Lacazette’s penalty in first-half stoppage time but was beaten in the 53rd when center back Duje Caleta-Car headed home and perhaps forgot the unwritten “rule” about not celebrating against your former club.
Pol Lirola equalized in the 69th from winger Luis Henrique’s pass. Lirola then turned provider in the 82nd with a right-wing cross for fellow defender Ulisses Garcia, who adroitly guided the ball over goalkeeper Lucas Perri's head from the left of the penalty area.
The drama was not over as Cherki expertly backheeled a cross in from a tight angle, only for the English forward Rowe to pounce with virtually the last kick of the game.
Perri botched his clearance and Rowe gathered the ball about 35 meters out on the left, beat two players and curled the ball in to trigger jubilation from Marseille's players and their new coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Earlier, United States forward Folarin Balogun was among the scorers as Monaco followed up its Champions League win against Barcelona with a 3-1 victory over Le Havre.
Monaco won 2-1 against Barcelona on Thursday.
Fans at Stade Louis II enjoyed an early goal when right back Jordan Teze headed in Takumi Minamino's cross. Daler Kuzyayev equalized in the 30th minute.
Eliesse Ben Seghir broke Le Havre's resistance in the 66th with a fine finish, curling the ball into the top right corner. Balogun netted four minutes later after being set up by 18-year-old forward George Ilenikhena, who scored Monaco's winner against Barca.
In Sunday's other matches, it was last-place Angers 1, Nantes 1; Brest 2, Toulouse 0; and Montpellier 3, Auxerre 2.
Brest fans were in high spirits after enjoying their first ever European game on Thursday. This time they celebrated goals in Brittany from forward Mama Baldé and midfielder Romain Faivre.
Nigerian striker Akor Adams netted twice for Montpellier.
PSG dropped its first points of the season when it was held 1-1 at Reims on Saturday.
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