Lens made far better chances than usual and still lost to Marseille

Marseille beat Lens 2-1 with a late goal from Keyliane Abdallah, even though the hosts created far better chances than they normally do at home.

Lens created far better chances than they usually do at home and still went down. Expected goals, a measure that gives each shot a value based on how often shots of that kind go in, put the hosts on 2 at Bollaert-Delelis. Their home average is 1.21, so the chances were well above their norm, yet the scoreboard told a different story.

Marseille were ahead inside two minutes, when Amine Gouiri finished from close range. Florian Thauvin levelled in the 20th minute, with Florian Sotoca providing the assist, and the match looked set to be decided by who had the better chances in the second half. It was Keyliane Abdallah who settled it, scoring in the 82nd minute to hand Marseille the win.

Marseille had the ball more than usual, with 59% possession against an away average of 55.2%. Lens had 41%, below their home average of 49.2%, so the visitors controlled the ball more than they normally do and the hosts had less of it than they are used to. Marseille also took 16 shots, compared with their away average of 12.4, while Lens took 13 against a home average of 11.8.

The chances Marseille created were also better than normal. Their expected goals reached 2.18, well above their away average of 1.48. The visitors had two goals from that, which is close to what they usually score away from home, so the scoreline was ordinary even though the chances were not.

Lens were leaking chances at a rate they do not usually allow at home. Their home average for expected goals conceded is 0.85, and Marseille's total of 2.18 was far above it. Jeffrey De Lange was the reason Marseille did not score more, making five saves in the Marseille goal, and his work kept the game close until the end.

The three goals on the night matched the league's usual figure of three per match, so the scoring itself was ordinary. Across the division the typical side takes 12.8 shots a game, which puts Lens's 13 right in line with the league, and Marseille's 16 above it. Both teams were involved in a match with more quality than usual, though only one side walked away with the points.

Lens are 11th in the table with 13 points from nine games, with four wins and four defeats at home. Marseille are 8th with 15 points from nine, with five wins on the road and four defeats.

Player of the matchA. Gouiri1 goal7.9

J. de Lange5 saves7.8

F. Sotoca1 assist7.7

K. Abdallah1 goal7.7