(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights MARSEILLE - MONTPELLIER

Marseille were seeking to maintain their undefeated top flight run over Montpellier when the pair came together at the Orange Velodrome in Matchday 23's final game. At home's winless start to 2024 had seen Jean-Louis Gasset replace Gennaro Gattuso during the week but their league troubles behind them in Europe with a 3-1 win over Shakhtar and they would see them meet another former manager drawn against Marseille's Villarreal in the Europa League round of 16. The focus now back on domestic duties and an opponent aiming to win back-to-back league games for the first time since last April, something they looked far more likely to do after opening the scoring with just five minutes on the clock. A horrendous clearance from Samuel Gigo fell for Moussa Tamare to nod home. Jordan Verrattu trying to rally the troops and Montpellier's Jordan then came very close to a second. Jordan Ferry with a thunderbolt from distance cracked into the post and fortuitously bounced to safety striking them back. Marseille would make the most of their good fortune however making it 1-1 just after the half-hour mark through Hillemann Ndia. Neatly steered the ball past the defender with his first touch and fired high beyond Benjamin Lecomte. That gave the hosts a huge lift and after Amine Harit had come close, Emeric Aubameyang put his side ahead for the first time. Good work down the right, the perfect pass from Schroeder-Lembembe. Aubameyang with the easiest of tasks. It's the response they were looking for. It's far from the end of the first half drama though because unbelievably Montpellier hit the same post and then the back of Lopez again in additional time. This time it's Iago Silva. Lucky Montpellier will meet a streak for OM in this fixture. Stood at 10 matches coming into this meeting and it looks likely to be increased to 11 by the hour mark. Here we are to a penalty after a foul by Joris Schroeder on Ndia. Any clumsy tackle from behind. Lecomte points to the spot. Aubameyang duly stepped up and Cooley added his second and Marseille's third. Rolling it into the bottom corner. Lecomte going the wrong way. Bounce head over heels. Thoroughly broke Montpellier's spirits and they would be sought to apply to the wounds late on with an own goal. The truth little Valai-Sacco could do. Diverting the ball into his own net as Ismail Assar's cross ricocheted off Lecomte onto the defender's leg. So a loss that leaves Michel Desakari inside only above the relegation playoff spot courtesy of goal difference. The hosts meanwhile end a miserable six-game winless run in the league and close the gap to the top five to five points.