Paris (AFP)

Marseille, beaten for the third time in a row in Monaco (3-1), moved away from the Ligue 1 podium on Saturday, during a 21st day marked by the start of Nice in Lens (1-0).

With three setbacks in one week, its worst series since 2015, OM sees its fate slipping away match after match, in an ultra-tight top that does not forgive any misstep.

André Villas-Boas' men are now relegated to eight points behind third Lyon, which plays Sunday in Saint-Etienne.

However, everything had started well for the Marseillais, with the opening of the quick score of Nemanja Radonjic (12th).

But the Serb's goal was their only chance of the match, which the Monegasques dominated.

On two corners of Aleksandr Golovin, Guillermo Maripan (47th) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (75th) punished the lack of ambition of the Phocéens, that the entry of Arkadiusz Milik did not revive.

The Polish striker, who arrived on Thursday accompanied by the aura of the "grantatakan" that supporters have been waiting for for several years, played the last half hour, without an opportunity to shine.

Stevan Jovetic, with a powerful free kick (90th + 1), sealed the score.

Marseille, which has won only one of its last eight Championship matches, is now sailing in troubled waters, without the prospect of a favorable calendar: Rennes, Lens and Paris SG are on the horizon.

- Atal marks and injures himself -

ASM continues its full card in 2021, which brings it one point closer to OL.

Lens has missed the opportunity to hang on to the wagon of clubs targeting Europe.

Beaten by Nice, the Artésiens did not confirm their brilliant success obtained in Marseille on Wednesday (1-0).

It has even become a bad habit: despite its good first part of the season, Racing have won only one of the last seven games played at home.

"Faced with low blocks, we can't do it. We have the will but we lack this accuracy which can lead to clear opportunities," said coach Franck Haise.

On the first Nice opportunity of the match, Youcef Atal (49th) punished the Lensois, who could lose their seventh place on Sunday.

The Algerian defender injured himself while celebrating his goal.

This success, the first in a month, remains a huge breath of fresh air for the Gym, after a hectic week, marked by the rant of supporters who came to demand accountability from the training center.

The 21st day continues Sunday with the derby between Saint-Etienne and Lyon, and a crucial match between Rennes and Lille, the Dogues having to win to return to equality with the leader Paris.

© 2021 AFP