Marseille beat Montpellier to preserve top-three spot

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:52 am

Marseille players celebrate after scoring a goal against Montpellier in Ligue 1.
Marseille players celebrate after scoring a goal against Montpellier in Ligue 1.
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A well-placed goal from Nuno Tavares and an own goal from Maxime Esteve handed Olympique de Marseille a 2-1 win over Montpellier, ensuring they stayed third in Ligue 1 on Monday.

The result allowed Igor Tudor's side to narrow the gap with leaders Paris Saint-Germain to eight points. They have 36 points from 17 games, four behind Lens in second place.

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Lens beat PSG 3-1 on Sunday to hand the champions their first league loss of the season.

Montpellier keeper Jonas Omlin denied Jordan Veretout a goal two minutes after the break but Tavares was quick to pounce and he fired the rebound into the top-right corner to break the deadlock.

Esteve then sealed the win for the visitors in the 61st minute when he headed the ball into his own net after a set piece.

Tavares was shown a straight red card three minutes from time after a severe late challenge on Arnaud Souquet.

Teji Savanier converted a penalty in stoppage time for Montpellier but they could not prevent Marseille from bagging all three points.