Ligue 1: Monaco, Marseille grab points to move closer to league leaders
Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi enhanced his growing reputation with two more goals as third-place Marseille thumped Lens 4-0 on Sunday to move one point behind Lyon and two adrift of leader Paris Saint-Germain in a hard-fought French title race.
Batshuayi replaced top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac at halftime and made an immediate impact, scoring one minute into the second half to give the visitors the lead.
Last month, Batshuayi did exactly the same, coming off the bench and scoring immediately in a 2-2 draw at Saint-Etienne.
The 21-year-old took his season's tally to eight goals in 19 games - with only five of those as starts - when he scored his side's fourth goal deep into injury time. In between his goals, midfielder Alaixys Romao struck in the 67th and winger Andre Ayew pounced five minutes later.
Marseille had struggled on the road for most of the season until a 6-1 rout of Toulouse two weeks ago.
The title race is intriguingly poised and could take another twist when it resumes after the international break, with PSG travelling to play Marseille on April 5.
Monaco is also in contention, one point behind Marseille and with a game in hand.
Earlier, teenage striker Anthony Martial scored his fourth league goal in the last three games as Monaco won 3-1 at Reims.
After Brazilian defender Fabinho gave Monaco a fifth-minute lead, the 19-year-old Martial made it 2-0 in the 14th.
Forward Diego Rigonato pulled one back for Reims, but Morocco midfielder Nabil Dirar sealed Monaco's win in the 79th.
Monaco is enjoying a strong resurgence following a poor start to the season, and coach Leonardo Jardim's team is also qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals, where it will take on Juventus.
''We started the match very well,'' Dirar said. ''Our aim is to keep the pressure on the top three, giving that Lyon lost (on Saturday). We've had a taste of the Champions League this year and we want to back next season, so we'll do everything we can to finish on the podium.''
Also, Ivory Coast winger Max-Alain Gradel scored both goals in Saint-Etienne's 2-0 home win against Lille, taking his tally to 10 this season - including five in the last four games.
Lille midfielder Rony Lopes was sent off in the 52nd.
Fifth-place Saint-Etienne is one point behind Monaco, having played one game more, and is four clear of sixth-place Bordeaux.
''We're on a good run at the moment. You have to make the most of it,'' Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier said. ''We're scoring goals and we're not conceding many chances.''
He praised Gradel for another fine individual performance.
''Like for all forwards, there are times when things are more difficult and other times when everything goes for you,'' Galtier said. ''Things are working well in attack now. That's why Ricky van Wolfswinkel has been on the bench for the past three games. It's nothing personal against him.''
Lyon lost 2-1 at home to Nice on Saturday to remain one point behind PSG, which beat Lorient 3-1 at home on Friday.
