Marseille slump continues

Arnold Mvuemba: On target for Lorient with a first-half penalty

Lorient piled more woe on Marseille while strengthening their own survival hopes as they claimed a 2-1 victory on Friday evening.

Arnold Mvuemba set the hosts on their way with a penalty shortly before half-time and Kevin Monnet-Pacquet made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

Mathieu Valbuena pulled one back for the Coupe de la Ligue winners in the 76th minute but they remain without a victory in the league since January.

Lorient had the better of the first period and Mvuemba threatened in the early stages, but his shot was deflected behind by Nicolas N'Koulou.

A Marseille flurry midway through the half saw Brandao head Cesar Azpilicueta's cross just wide before Jordan Ayew was also slightly off target following a solo run.

But Joel Campbell went close for the home side when he latched on to Alaixys Romao's pass, beat two men and curled just over the bar with his left foot.

Penalty

The on-loan Arsenal forward also played a crucial role in the opening goal when he was fouled by Jeremy Morel, allowing Mvuemba to send keeper Steve Mandanda the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Campbell shot wide on the stroke of half-time but OM could have levelled early in the second half when, from another Azpilicueta cross, Valbuena's header was blocked.

But they had a mountain to climb when Yann Jouffre and the impressive Campbell combined to set up Monnet-Pacquet, who fired across goal and past Mandanda to double Lorient's lead.

A good save by Florent Chaigneau prevented Andre-Pierre Gignac pulling a goal back but Valbuena gave Marseille hope two minutes later when he volleyed home Loic Remy's cross.

Mandanda kept them in the game with a save from Jouffre but there was to be no equaliser as Chaigneau kept out Gignac's bullet header with a minute remaining.