Payet opens Marseille account with win

AFP, PARIS: Dimitri Payet scored his first goal in his first Marseille start following his controversial return from West Ham in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at home to Guingamp in Ligue 1. 
Bafetimbi Gomis headed his 14th goal of the season to hand Marseille a first-half lead before Payet’s deflected 76th-minute free-kick secured the points at the Stade Velodrome.
“Payet was decisive, he proved he’s getting stronger,” said Marseille coach Rudi Garcia.
Earlier, Wylan Cyprien’s scorching strike kept Nice within three points of leaders Monaco following their 1-0 victory over Saint-Etienne. Cyprien rifled in the only goal after just seven minutes at the Allianz Riviera as Nice bounced back from Saturday’s heavy defeat at Cote d’Azur and title rivals Monaco.
Nice moved back level on points with second-placed Paris Saint-Germain after just a second win in six league matches.
Alexandre Lacazette scored his 19th goal of the season as Lyon produced an encouraging response in the wake of last weekend’s damaging Rhone derby defeat to thrash Nancy 4-0.
Mathieu Valbuena curled in a superb 39th-minute opener with his final touch before hobbling off injured at Parc OL, while Nabil Fekir grabbed a second before half-time.
Lacazette then struck from the penalty spot after substitute Memphis Depay was fouled in the area, with the ex-Manchester United winger netting his first goal for his new club to cap the rout.
On Tuesday, first-half goals from Kamil Glik and Kylian Mbappe ensured Monaco remained top of the table after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Montpellier.

Payet opens Marseille account with win

AFP, PARIS: Dimitri Payet scored his first goal in his first Marseille start following his controversial return from West Ham in Wednesdays 2-0 victory at home to Guingamp in Ligue 1. Bafetimbi Gomis headed his 14th goal of the season to hand Marseille a first-half lead before Payets deflected 76th-minute free-kick secured the points at the Stade Velodrome. Payet was decisive, he proved hes getting stronger, said Marseille coach Rudi Garcia. Earlier, Wylan Cypriens scorching strike kept Nice within three points of leaders Monaco following their 1-0 victory over Saint-Etienne. Cyprien rifled in the only goal after just seven minutes at the Allianz Riviera as Nice bounced back from Saturdays heavy defeat at Cote dAzur and title rivals Monaco. Nice moved back level on points with second-placed Paris Saint-Germain after just a second win in six league matches. Alexandre Lacazette scored his 19th goal of the season as Lyon produced an encouraging response in the wake of last weekends damaging Rhone derby defeat to thrash Nancy 4-0. Mathieu Valbuena curled in a superb 39th-minute opener with his final touch before hobbling off injured at Parc OL, while Nabil Fekir grabbed a second before half-time. Lacazette then struck from the penalty spot after substitute Memphis Depay was fouled in the area, with the ex-Manchester United winger netting his first goal for his new club to cap the rout. On Tuesday, first-half goals from Kamil Glik and Kylian Mbappe ensured Monaco remained top of the table after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Montpellier.