Marseille ended a difficult run of form by recovering from an early setback to beat Angers 5-2 at the Stade Raymond-Kopa.
The victory, which followed a record of one win and six defeats, gives L’OM consecutive league wins and lifts them to ninth in Ligue 1. Angers remain 14th after suffering back-to-back losses and could drop into the bottom three, depending on other results.
Marseille made the brighter start and created two promising opportunities in the opening stages. Igor Paixao cut in from the left and went close to scoring his first goal of the season, while Tochukwu Nnadi sent a shot narrowly wide.
However, the visitors fell behind in unfortunate circumstances after 14 minutes. Amine Sbai created the opening with an impressive run on the left, beating his marker before delivering a dangerous cross. Geoffrey Kondogbia attempted to head clear but instead directed the ball into Lilian Rao-Lisoa’s face from close range, with the ball then trickling over the line.
The unexpected goal disrupted Marseille’s momentum, but they recovered before half-time and turned the match around with two headers.
Timothy Weah, who had already made an impact with his defensive work, supplied the equaliser from the right. His cross found Himad Abdelli, who powered a header past his former club’s goalkeeper.
Marseille then completed the turnaround shortly before the interval. Emerson’s corner was met by Nouhoum Kamissoko, who rose highest to head the visitors into a 2-1 lead.
The away side extended that advantage shortly before the hour. Amine Gouiri won a penalty after driving into the Angers area, but Anthony Lopes saved his initial effort. Gouiri reacted quickest to the rebound, though, and put the ball into the net at the second attempt.
Angers were handed an opportunity to respond with 15 minutes remaining. Carlens Arcus was pulled to the ground during a corner, and Amine El Ouazzani converted the resulting penalty calmly beyond Jeffrey de Lange to reduce the deficit to one.
Their hopes of completing a comeback lasted only briefly. Amine Harit restored Marseille’s two-goal advantage with a well-executed curling finish before Paixao added a fifth in similar fashion.
The result helps Marseille recover from a poor beginning to their Ligue 1 campaign, in which they had previously recorded one win and four defeats. Their consecutive victories have moved them into ninth place.
Angers now face the prospect of slipping further down the table after their second successive defeat.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Timothy Weah (Marseille)