Marseille return to winning ways against Evian

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:23 am
Andre-Pierre Gignac celebrates the match-winning penalty for Marseille.

Following Paris St Germain's 1-0 victory over Rennes on Friday night's, OM dropped down a spot into third, but -- thanks to the three points -- moved back into second to sit one point below leaders Lyon, who take on Monaco on Sunday.

The defeat leaves Evian just three points off the bottom after a run of just one Ligue 1 win from their last eight matches.

The hosts had the best chance of the opening exchanges. After just 10 minutes, Florian Thauvin crossed a perfect ball toward Romain Alessandrini, who flicked it into the penalty box where Brice Dja Djedje was unfortunate to watch his close-range header sailed inches off the target.

Just after the half-hour mark Marseille came close again as Gignac got his head onto Thauvin's cross but forced Benjamin Leroy into a decent diving save.

Marcelo Bielsa's men pressed for the opener and Gignac fed the ball to Dimitri Payet on the edge of the box for a stunning volley but he was denied by the crossbar.

Two minutes was all it took for Marseille to bag the winner after the break as a penalty was awarded after Cedric Barbosa brought down Payet in the box.

Gignac made no mistake as he sent the spot-kick low into the middle of the net, sliding the ball under keeper Leroy's body to put the home side ahead.

Marseille came close to adding a second after 54 minutes as Alessandrini released Benjamin Mendy 25-yards out and the 20-year-old defender sent a straight shot just wide of the left post.

The hosts continued to dominate and Alaixys Romao shot over the bar from 15 yards out with 13 minutes left.

Evian could have stolen a late equaliser had Daniel Wass' curled free-kick from 25 yards been on target.