Dimitri Payet Continues to Shine as Marseille Beat Metz to Stay Top of Ligue 1

Olympique de Marseille’s Dimitri Payet was again the hero as Marcelo Bielsa’s side staved off early pressure to beat FC Metz 3-1 at the Stade Velodrome. The win ensures that OM finishes Week 17 ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and top of Ligue 1.

With PSG coming back to beat Nantes 2-1 on Saturday, Marseille knew they had to pick up all three points to reclaim top spot. Metz didn’t let Marseille have it all their own way and actually had the better chances in a tight first-half.

The home side dominated possession but Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda had to be at his alert best to save a great chance from Florent Malouda in the first half, although the former France international would get one back in the second period.

Marseille opened the scoring late in the first half when Payet received the ball out on the left wing. The former Lille player then cut onto his right-foot, swung in a terrific cross and Andre-Pierre Gignac was on point to head past Johann Carrasso.

David Vincent/Associated Press

It may not have been all that Marseille deserved, but it was another superb assist from the France international, his seventh of the season. He would also go on to play his part in their second before scoring the third late on to secure the victory.

Last campaign, under the guidance of Jose Anigo and Elie Baup, Payet only supplied four assists, although he did score eight times. Two of the goals came in the opening day 3-1 win over Guingamp, but it was an overall poor season from the Reunion-born attacker.

It was obvious that Payet could offer Marseille so much more than he did last campaign. In his final season for Lille, he scored 12 times and provided 13 assists, and it would be left to Bielsa to turn to rediscover that sort of form from the 27-year-old.

Bielsa has been praised for finally giving Payet some consistency, but it is a little out of context. In his 37 games for Lille during the 2012/13 season, Payet contributed a goal or an assist in 19 separate games.

It is consistency that he lost last season, but he was being played out of position. Often moved on to the right flank, it wasn’t ideal to get the best out of Payet. Bielsa has played him mostly in the centre of the three attacking midfielders, but Payet has the freedom to roam the front-line, just like he did for Lille under Rudi Garcia.

This season, Payet is back to his Lille best, contributing a goal or an assist in eight of his 16 appearances this season.

It’s not just the statistics that have improved, but his overall game looks to be developing further. At Lille he was criticised for shooting from distance too often, but he has calmed that down and now looks to find a teammate or hold up looks for options to develop.

Claude Paris/Associated Press

On Sunday, after Malouda had levelled the scores early in the second half, it was Payet who played a crucial part in the goal that put OM ahead.

Picking up the loose ball out wide on the left, Payet’s lovely reverse pass picked out Alaixys Romao free inside the box. Romao’s shot hit the post, but the returning Andre Ayew was there to turn in the rebound. The OM players were quick to surround Ayew and Payet, crediting the Marseille No. 17 for his part in the goal.

With the clock ticking down Payet put the icing on the cake when he burst forward, took the ball from Rod Fanni and fired it into the far corner. It was no more than Payet deserved for his night’s work.

If Marseille remain at the top of Ligue 1 for the next two weeks, they will be crowned autumn champions for the first time since the 2002/03 season. Praise will undoubtedly go to Bielsa and 12-goal hero Gignac, but spare a thought for Payet. Without his contributions this season and his play again Metz, they definitely wouldn’t be in this position.

So far this season, Gignac, Bielsa and Mandanda have received most of the praise for Marseille’s position at the top of Ligue 1. However, without Payet’s excellent play in the final third, they wouldn’t be on course to be crowned autumn champions.

All stats courtesy of WhoScored.com