Marseille returned to form emphatically with a 5-0 victory against Montpellier on Sunday, closing the gap to Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to just three points.
After a strong start to the season under Roberto De Zerbi, hopes of a title challenge had faded following a defeat to Strasbourg and a draw with Angers. However, Marseille found their stride again, dominating at the Stade de la Mosson against bottom-placed Montpellier. The win brings them within touching distance of PSG and Monaco, who are level on points at the top of the table but separated by goal difference.
The match started perfectly for Marseille, as Elye Wahi scored just a minute into the game, heading in a cross from Jonathan Rowe. Amine Harit doubled the lead in the 36th minute, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg added a third goal before half-time, putting the game out of Montpellier’s reach.
Mason Greenwood netted Marseille’s fourth goal after the break, his first goal since August, following an assist from Wahi. Luis Henrique completed the rout with a fifth goal after Montpellier’s Stefan Dzodic was sent off.
Earlier in the day, Lyon secured their third consecutive win with a 4-0 triumph over Le Havre, while Reims missed an opportunity to break into the top four, losing 2-1 to Auxerre.