AFP – Marseille jumped to second in Ligue 1 on Saturday after ending visiting Brest’s winning start to season with a lacklustre 2-0 victory.
Knocked out of the Champions League in the third qualifying round by Panathinaikos at the start of the month, Marseille’s rebuilt squad had a week to prepare.
The hosts started brightly when Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring with a header from Jordan Veretout’s impeccable free kick after three minutes.
Brest, who had opened the season with two wins, dominated the rest of the half.
Jeremy Le Douaron put an easy header into the arms of Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez. Steve Mounie headed over before Lopez then saved from Mahdi Camara and Le Douaron.
Lopez was again busy at the start of the second half and Romain del Castillo hit the post for Brest.
The introduction of Vitinha from the bench lifted Marseille who stretched their lead after 65 minutes.
Ismaila Sarr met a cross from Renan Lodi to score for the first time since arriving from Watford in the summer.
Vitinha created two golden chances for Veretout and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was wasteful throughout.
Marseille moved to seven points from three games, behind leaders Monaco on goal difference.
On Friday, substitute Myron Boadu’s late goal enabled Monaco to maintain their unbeaten start but they had to come from two goals down at Nantes to secure a 3-3 draw.
