THE MATCH

Rennes headed south on the back of a promising 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League opener, but were up against an OM side highly determined to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Jorge Sampaoli's men had a ten-game unbeaten streak to defend at home, and they did so from the front with Dieng worrying the visiting defence just five minutes in and forcing Alfred Gomis to kick away a goalbound effort (5').

Dimitri Payet fired just wide (10') before Matteo Guendouzi sent in a long-range effort that grazed the top of the crossbar (30') with Marseille — beaten just once in their last 12 league games — taking the initiative.

Serhou Guirassy was betrayed by the bounce of Gaëtan Laborde's cross (35') otherwise he might have forced Pau Lopez into a save, but Rennes were toothless, unlike their hosts. Dieng, who scored twice in last weekend's win over Monaco, struck again, darting in front of Loïc Badé to get the crucial touch to Pol Lirola's cross early in the second half (48').

He might have had another had he been able to connect to a Payet cross (62') before Rennes gave a reminder they were still in the game with Benjamin Bourigeaud raising pulses when he sent a free-kick spinning just wide (69').

Home nerves were soon calmed though. Luan Peres' ball forward for Harit sent the former Schalke man up against Badé and Hamari Traoré; Harit managed to bundle past them both before firing low beyond Gomis just some ten minutes after coming off the bench (71') and take OM to within sight of leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

THE PLAYER: Bamba Dieng

The 21-year-old Senegalese forward might have been a touch fortunate with his goal, but his movement made it, and he deserved his luck. And three goals in two league games cannot be all down to fortune.

THE STAT: 3

Rennes have now lost their last three league games, equalling their worst run since May 2015.

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