Marseille edge out Evian

Marseille maintained their 100% start to the Ligue 1 season with a 1-0 home victory over Evian.

Marseille maintained their 100% start to the Ligue 1 season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Evian at the Stade Velodrome. Morgan Amalfitano netted the game's only goal 12 minutes before half-time to extend OM's winning run to six matches. The result left Evian precariously placed, however - just outside the relegation zone on four points. In a quiet opening 20 minutes the only shot of note came from the visitors, Olivier Sorlin's speculative 30-yard effort flying wide. Evian's Stephan Andersen was the first goalkeeper to be called into action, making a relatively straightforward save to deny Mathieu Valbuena in the 25th minute after he had latched onto Andre-Pierre Gignac's pass. The breakthrough arrived eight minutes later. Valbuena sent in a free-kick from the left and Amalfitano directed his near-post header past Andersen. The same combination almost doubled the hosts' lead nine minutes before the interval, Amalfitano this time nodding Valbuena's corner just wide. Valbuena was again the provider as Elie Baup's side continued to press for a second goal after the restart, Benoit Cheyrou knocking his free-kick into the path of Andre Ayew but the Ghana international was just unable to get the crucial touch. OM did not have it all their own way, though, as Evian mustered a handful of decent opportunities of their own in the second half. First Yannick Sagbo pulled a shot just wide of Steve Mandanda's goal in the 51st minute. Substitute Mohammed Rabiu found himself through on goal 15 minutes later but Mandanda was equal to his effort. Then, nine minutes from time, Mandanda again frustrated the visitors and preserved his clean sheet, producing a fine reflex save to keep out Jonathan Mensah's powerful header from Daniel Wass' corner.