Ligue 1: Marseille cement second place with Toulouse win

Second-placed Marseille have defeated Toulouse to close to within nine points of French Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain while Monaco won at Amiens.

Dimitri Payet has scored his second spectacular goal of the week to help Marseille beat Toulouse 1-0 in France’s Ligue 1 on Saturday and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games overall.

Marseille had the added bonus of strengthening their grip on second spot by moving eight points ahead of third-place Rennes, who drew 0-0 at home with Brest.

Payet’s stellar form is guiding Marseille back to Europe, and improving his chances of a France recall.

Having scored a fine individual goal against Saint-Etienne in midweek, he received a pass from Bouna Sarr and whipped a super 25-metre curler over the goalkeeper and into the top corner in the 51st minute.

Marseille were also indebted to goalkeeper Steve Mandanda’s stunning second-half save to keep out Belgian striker Aaron Leya Iseka’s close-range volley.

The win moved Marseille to nine points behind Paris Saint-Germain, who will be without the injured Neymar (ribs) when they host Lyon on Sunday.

Rock-bottom Toulouse have managed just 13 points from their 24 games this season.

Monaco scored two late goals to win 2-1 at strugglers Amiens to move up to fifth.

Wissam Ben Yedder netted his league-leading 16th goal with a typically clinical effort to equalise in the 85th minute, and strike partner Islam Slimani netted an injury-time winner from a Cesc Fabregas corner.

Bordeaux are point behind Monaco in sixth spot after rallying from a goal down to win 2-1 at Metz, for which midfielder Vincent Pajot was sent off after eight minutes.

Nimes won at mid-table Nice 3-1 to maintain their push to avoid relegation by climbing up to 18th place, which was the relegation-playoff position.

Mid-table Nantes twice came from behind only to then need an injury time header from Brazilian defender Andrei Girotto to salvage a 3-3 draw at lowly Dijon.