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Marseille came from behind to seal a 3-1 win over Metz at the Stade Vélodrome, with Frédéric Déhu, Franck Ribéry and Mamadou Niang all on target.
Before kick off, rumours were circulating that Marseille Coach Jean Fernandez could be under pressure to keep his job should his side lose at home to the Ligue 1’s bottom club. The pressure was on the Mediterranean giants.
That pressure was cranked up a notch further when Metz took the lead in the 11th minute. After an almighty scramble in the Marseille box, Sébastien Renouard stunned the home fans by crashing the ball into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Fernandez had once again opted for a five-man defence, despite the criticism his tactics received following the 1-0 midweek defeat at Toulouse.
It was one of Marseille’s three centre-backs who got them on level terms on 25 minutes. Ribéry’s free kick was perfect for Déhu to latch onto and head unopposed past Grégory Wimbée.
The relief was evident but Marseille did not improve after the goal. Indeed Metz should have gone in with a lead at the break but Cédric Carrasso’s exceptional save denied Grégory Proment whose header looked destined for the net on 35 minutes.
Marseille started the second half in fine fashion and took the lead two minutes in. Wilson Oruma advanced towards the Metz box and when his shot deflected into the path of Ribéry, the midfielder, playing against his former club, slotted the ball home.
Wimbée had to save from the lively Ribéry on 65 minutes, but Marseille clinched victory four minutes later.
Mamam Cherif Touré lost the ball close to the Metz penalty area and Sergio Koke, alert to the situation, fed Niang in the penalty area. The former Strasbourg striker struck a powerful low shot into the net, sending the Vélodrome wild.
The victory is Marseille’s third in their last four League outings and takes them further away from relegation trouble.
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