Marseille have slipped to their second defeat in as many matches, suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of Reims at Stade Auguste Delaune in Ligue 1 this afternoon.
Both sides were on the attack early on as Prince Oniangue burst through the middle before firing over from the edge of the penalty area, while Romain Alessandrini saw his strike deflected behind for Marseille down the other end a couple of minutes later.
Marseille started to look the more likely, but it was the home side who opened the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour when Nicolas de Preville delivered the ball in from a corner, setting up Hamari Traore to bury the ball into the bottom corner.
Alessandrini could have drawn the visitors level just three minutes later when he run in between the two centre-backs, but his attempt to curl the ball into the top corner was thwarted by Kossi Agassa.
The first half remained open, with chances falling at either end, but it was Reims who had the best chance to add the second when Frederic Bulot picked out Oniangue with a through-ball just before half time, but the striker rifled the ball just wide.
Marseille piled forward early in the second half as they attempted to force an equaliser, but Michy Batshuayi's effort was turned behind for a corner, which Jacques-Alaixys Romao could only head over.
The away side continued to dominate the possession, but it was Reims who looked more dangerous with the ball as David N'Gog brought a high ball down on the edge of the box before looking to extend the hosts' lead, forcing Steve Mandanda to tip it behind.
Bouna Sarr came off the bench for Marseille and quickly created a couple of chances, but Lucas Ocampos could not get enough power behind his shot, while Mario Lemina headed wide.
Marseille's hopes of getting back on level terms were dealt a blow with 15 minutes remaining as Romao was given his marching orders for clattering into De Preville, earning him his second yellow card of the afternoon.
Despite having a man extra, Reims continued to allow Marseille more time on the ball, resulting in further chances for Florian Thauvin and Batshuayi, but the visitors' finishing lacked accuracy.
Omenuke Mfulu could have put the win beyond doubt for Reims in stoppage time, controlling a low pass before attempting to drive the ball into the bottom corner from just inside the box, but he scuffed it wide.
The result puts Reims at the top of the table, although several sides below them have a game in hand, while Marseille slip to 19th.
Sian Cowper
