ANGERS, France — Marseille snapped a run of 11 league matches without a victory by winning 1-0 at Angers Sunday to ensure it stays in Ligue 1.
Marseille moved eight points clear of the drop zone with two rounds remaining.
Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute. The Belgium forward latched onto a good pass from Steven Fletcher before racing forward and firing across Angers goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier for his 16th goal of the season.
Angers players appeared visibly tired after their midweek match at Lille and wasted opportunities with poor finishing.
A first win in three months will be a relief to Marseille, which has been in turmoil this season and recently replaced Spanish coach Michel with assistant Franck Passi.
Lyon and Monaco level on points
Lyon and Monaco remained level on points in the fight for second spot in the French league after victories Saturday, setting up an enticing match between the two teams in the penultimate round.
Lyon beat relegation-threatened Ajaccio 2-1, shortly after Monaco defeated Guingamp 3-2. Lyon remained ahead thanks to a vastly superior goal difference.
The team which finishes second will join champion Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stage, while the third-place side enters the competition at the third qualifying round.
Lyon hosts Monaco next Saturday.
Earlier, Nice and Saint-Etienne saw their Champions League hopes diminish. Nice lost 1-0 at Nantes, while Saint-Etienne could only manage a 0-0 draw against Toulouse.
Reims remained a point from safety, losing 3-2 against Montpellier with four of the five goals coming in the final seven minutes.
Already-relegated Troyes lost 4-2 at home to Bordeaux, while Bastia drew 0-0 at Caen. — Agencies
