A double by Moroccan playmaker Younes Belhanda inspired Montpellier to a 3-1 win over ailing giants Marseille and sent the winners three points clear of PSG at the top of Ligue 1 on Wednesday.
Belhanda's brace - a penalty and a stunning second-half scissorkick - along with one from leading scorer Olivier Giroud, taking his total to 19 in the league, also improved their goal difference advantage over PSG as well as extending Marseille's run without a win to 12.
Marseille coach Didier Deschamps had resorted to desperate measures and opted to hand a rare start to striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, with whom he had a public falling out earlier in the season, as his leading marksman Loic Remy was out with a thigh injury.
Marseille fans - who brandished banners with sarcastic comments aimed at the players such as '10 defeats and counting - we are on our way to making history' - had said they hoped to give Montpellier a helping hand in their battle with PSG.
However, not even they could have imagined the manner in which central defender Dijimi Traore would help that cause as his blatant handball when he could just as easily headed the ball away handed Montpellier a penalty in the sixth minute.
Although Marseille skipper and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda went the right way, he was unable to stop Belhanda's penalty giving the visitors the lead.
Marseille did briefly get back into the match when they levelled in the 34th minute as Stephane Mbia headed home.
However, the visitors restored their one goal lead with a nicely worked goal four minutes into the second-half.
Giroud ended the move with a half volley from Souleymane Camara's excellent cross from the right in a move that started deep inside the visitors half when Benoit Cheyrou was dispossessed.
However, Montpellier saved their best goal for last as Belhanda took the ball on his chest and lashed the ball home from the edge of the area.
Source: AFP
