Marseille win 6th straight Ligue 1 game, Reims clinch rare victory

Marseille's Jordan Amavi celebrates scoring their first goal against Bordeaux during the French Ligue 1 match in Marseille, France, December 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Marseille kept pace with French Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday after coming from behind to beat Bordeaux 3-1 and rack up a sixth straight win that keeps them five points behind the champions.

Jordan Amavi, Morgan Sanson and Nemanja Radonjic hit the decisive goals in front of a raucous crowd of around 52,000 as Andre Villas-Boas' side maintained a hot streak that has seen them rise to second in the French top flight.

With three teams qualifying for Europe's premier competition, Marseille are seven points ahead of fourth-placed Rennes and were in fine form on Sunday, failing to be fazed by Adli's stunning 31st-minute strike for Bordeaux.

Marseille's Morgan Sanson (C) celebrates scoring their second goal against Bordeaux during the French Ligue 1 match in Marseille, France, December 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

The away side frustrated dominant Marseille throughout the first period with compact defending and Adli stunned the home fans when he thumped Josh Maja's layoff past Steve Mandanda from long range.

However the hosts were not to be deterred and Payet had a hand in the leveler, his corner two minutes after the break finding the head of Amavi, who made no mistake from close range.

Bordeaux then handed Marseille the lead on the hour mark when trying to play out from a goal kick under intense pressure from the home attack.

Marseille's Serbian forward Nemanja Radonjic (L) scores their third goal against Bordeaux during the French Ligue 1 match in Marseille, France, December 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Pablo floated a soft pass straight to the feet of Sanson, who shifted his feet on the edge of the area before smashing home at Benoit Costil's near post.

Radonjic put the cherry on the cake in stoppage time after another Pablo error, the Brazil international this time being easily dispossessed by Valentin Rongier near the halfway line.

Saint-Etienne's Wesley Fofana (L) battles the ball with Reims during their French Ligue 1 match in Reims, France, December 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

A rare win for Reims over Saint-Etienne

Reims beat Saint-Etienne for the first time in more than 40 years to extend its unbeaten run to four matches.

Reims enjoyed their first victory over the 10-time champion in 16 league matches since a 3-2 win in 1976.

Remi Oudin, Boulaye Dia and Moussa Doumbia were on target for the hosts while Romain Hamouma scored for Saint-Etienne.

The victory lifted Reims within one point of Saint-Etienne in the standings.

Oudin, who scored 10 goals for Reims last season, put the hosts in front after 10 minutes but his acrobatic effort was canceled out by Hamouma's strike in the 59th.

Dia scored his second goal in as many matches to restore Reims' lead and Doumbia made it 3-1 with a powerful strike in stoppage time.

(With input from AP and AFP)