Toulouse (AFP)

Marseille has a back-to-back victory: OM have won a third straight victory by sweeping Toulouse (2-0) on Sunday for the 14th day of Ligue 1, taking second place despite a slightly more messy performance than Lille (2 -1) and Lyon (2-1).

Although helped by the exclusion of Steven Moreira after recourse to video refereeing on a dangerous tackle (41st), OM struggled but finally found the fault at the Stadium: a marvel of pass Dimitri Payet for Dario Benedetto allowed the Argentine to open the scoring (76th), before the second goal signed Nemanja Radonjic three minutes later (79th).

This success is the third rank for the Olympians and the first away since September 15 and a win in Monaco (4-3). It clearly demonstrates the progress of the Phocaeans, who until then had experienced the worst difficulties in front of the table formations like Dijon (0-0) or Amiens (3-1).

With 25 points, the Marseillais recover their place of dolphin of Paris SG in front of Angers (3rd, 24 pts), temporarily passed in front of Saturday. And the SCO-OM showdown in early December promises to be thrilling.

If OM was less brilliant in Toulouse, it is perhaps also because of the suspensions of Alvaro Gonzalez, Duje Caleta-Car and Jordan Amavi. But the poverty of the Toulouse game has not caused much concern to the minots Boubacar Kamara (20 years old) and Lucas Perrin (21 years old), OM's central defense at the Gambardella final of 2017, and partners for the first time in L1 by André Villas-Boas.

It took all the talent of Steve Mandanda on a head of Ibrahim Sangaré (72) to avoid punishment to this young rearguard.

Before, the liberation came from Payet. Less present than against Lyon, the midfielder remains inescapable. This time, he did not score but he unlocked the match with a light pass in the back of the Toulouse defense that allowed Benedetto beat Baptiste Reynet (76). The Argentine scored his sixth goal of the season, including five ... outside.

- The Reynet show -

Three minutes later, it was Valère Germain who served Nemanja Radonjic, who hooked Agustin Rogel before concluding (79th).

The just reward for a permanent domination for the Marseillais. But because of technical faults and sometimes a lack of application, the club has not created as many opportunities as that. And when they arrived, the nice cross shot Dario Benedetto did not find the frame (26th), when it was not Baptiste Reynet who was doing the show in the cage.

The Toulouse goalkeeper made a reflex knee defense on the head of Perrin at the reception of a corner of Payet (2nd). He is also well out to fend off both fists sudden shot and no control of the left of Valentin Rongier well served by Benedetto (17th).

The match should have gone faster when Moreira was sent off. But Toulouse defended fiercely before seeing his efforts reduced to nothing.

For Téfécé, with this fourth defeat in a row in L1, the situation becomes more and more disturbing. The trip to Nantes and the coming of Monaco are already decisive for their future. The good first match of the era Antoine Kombouaré against Lille (2-1), a few days after the departure of Alain Casanova, seems already very far ...

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