Classy Montpellier increase Marseille woe
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
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Montpellier Hérault SC's march towards their first Ligue 1 title continued as a 3-1 victory at struggling Olympique de Marseille restored their three-point lead at the summit.
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Younés Belhanda scored twice as Montpellier Hérault SC restored their three-point advantage at the top of Ligue 1 courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Olympique de Marseille, whose winless run now stands at 12 games.
OM, beaten on Sunday by second-placed Paris Saint-Germain FC, fell behind to Belhanda's first of the match on seven minutes, a penalty awarded after Djimi Traoré handled a free-kick to the back post.
Though Didier Deschamps' team equalised via a set piece of their own, Stéphane Mbia (33) heading in Brandão's flick from a Benoît Cheyrou delivery, Montpellier regained the lead four minutes into the second half through Oliver Giroud's 19th league goal of the season.
Belhanda (70) confirmed the points when he finished off a flowing team move with a sumptuous chest and bicycle-kick finish beyond Steve Mandanda. Marseille, who play Olympique Lyonnais in the League Cup final on Saturday, have not won a top-flight fixture since 29 January.
