ASSE 2 – Marseille 4: The Phocaeans leave the Stade Geoffroy Guichard with 3 points

Saint-Étienne fell to a home defeat at the hands of Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard on Sunday. ASSE wanted to improve their league standing after a 1-1 draw against Troyes while Marseille were hoping to increase their winning streak after back-to-back victories against Nice and Brest. As it stands, ASSE are in 18th place on the table and has 27 points while Marseille sit in 2nd with 56 points after 30 matches.

Saints started strong and were rewarded for their efforts, with Denis Bouanga finding the net, 9 minutes in. However, their lead was short lived, as Dimitri Payet equalised for Marseille just before half-time and seeing the first half out 1-1.

The Phocaeans continued to pile on the pressure in the second and were rewarded, thanks to Kolo finding the net at the 60 minute mark. Marseille looked to have the game under control when they scored again and increased their lead, thanks to a goal from Bamba Dieng in the 68th minute to establish a 3-1. The momentum was now with Marseille, who then scored again through a goal from Amine Harit, at 73 minutes to establish a 4-1. ASSE in turn, then responded just before the final whistle increasing their lead with an effort from Lucas Gourna-Douath. The game ended with a 4-2 victory for Marseille.

For ASSE, Enzo Crivelli, Adil Aouchiche, Bakary Sako, Harold Moukoudi and Gabriel Silva, came on for Ryad Boudebouz, Zaydou Youssouf, Eliaquim Mangala, Arnaud Nordin and Sada Thioub. Marseille replaced Sead Kolasinac, Bamba Dieng, Dimitri Payet, Amine Harit and Matteo Guendouzi for Cengiz Under, Cedric Bakambu, Pape Alassane Gueye, Oussama Targhalline and Pol Lirola.

There were bookings for Eliaquim Mangala and Sada Thioub from ASSE. For Marseille, Oussama Targhalline saw yellow.

ASSE will next travel to FC Lorient, while Marseille will face Montpellier at home.