Marseille nears PSG on the table with massive victory

Marseille continued their impressive form in Ligue 1, closing the gap to leaders Paris Saint-Germain to just seven points after a dominant 5-1 victory over struggling Le Havre at the Velodrome on Sunday. With the season heading into its latter half, this resounding win not only kept their title hopes alive but also propelled them three points clear of third-placed Monaco. The match saw a clinical performance from Roberto De Zerbi's men, who displayed attacking prowess from start to finish. Valentin Rongier opened the scoring, followed by Bilal Nadir, who doubled the lead. Neal Maupay added a third, and Elye Wahi made it 4-1 before Ulisses Garcia capped the scoring with a fifth goal. This comprehensive win marked another milestone for Marseille, who have now secured five wins and one draw in their last six matches across all competitions.

The victory also highlighted their attacking strength, as they have netted an impressive nine goals in their last two outings, including the match before the winter break. Marseille's resurgence after the break has placed them firmly in contention for the top spot, making the title race in Ligue 1 more intriguing as PSG will feel the pressure mounting from the chasing pack. The team's overall momentum and recent performances suggest they are ready to push for the championship in the second half of the season.

Marseille took control of the game early, with Valentin Rongier putting them ahead in the 25th minute with a well-struck shot from distance. Bilal Nadir then made it 2-0 with a clinical low drive into the far corner, marking his first senior goal on only his second Ligue 1 start at just 21 years old. Neal Maupay, on loan from Everton and set to make the move permanent at the end of the season, added a third just before halftime, heading in a precise cross to extend Marseille's lead. Nadir, who had started in place of the ill Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, was substituted at the break.

In the second half, Marseille continued their dominance, adding a fourth in the 66th minute. Mason Greenwood played a perfect ball for substitute Elye Wahi to tap in. Ulisses Garcia, another second-half substitute, rounded off the scoring with a fifth goal, securing a comprehensive 5-1 victory. This win marked the third time this season that Marseille had scored five goals in a Ligue 1 match, showcasing their offensive strength under Roberto De Zerbi.

Le Havre, struggling in the relegation zone, managed to pull one back late in their defeat to Marseille, with former Marseille player Andre Ayew scoring a header. Despite their efforts, they ended up on the wrong side of a 5-1 thrashing. In other Ligue 1 action, Paris Saint-Germain secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Monaco in December, just before the winter break. The match had been rescheduled due to both teams' involvement in the Champions Trophy in Qatar. PSG triumphed 1-0 in that final to claim their first silverware of the French season.