Marseille finished the year on a high by beating Nancy 3-1 on Tuesday to provisionally climb to fifth place in the French league and make up ground in the race for a European spot.
Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena played a one-two with Loic Remy before beating goalkeeper Guy Ndy Assembe with a low shot in the 18th minute.
Nancy leftback Reynald Lemaitre leveled in the 37th by heading a cross from Jean Calve into the bottom corner. However, TV replays indicated Lemaitre was offside.
But Marseille, which had been bottom of the standings in September, restored its lead in the 41st when Cameroon midfielder Stephane M'Bia headed home a cross from Morgan Amalfitano.
Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez sealed the win in stoppage time by taking a pass from Valbuena and firing home.
''Of course there are still some teams ahead of us, but since mid-October we are racking up points at a better pace,'' Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said.
Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda protected Marseille's lead by tipping over the bar a close-range header from Nancy centerback Andre Luiz in the 49th, while the home side had a penalty claim rejected in the 76th when Marseille leftback Jeremy Morel brought down substitute Benjamin Moukandjo.
''We know we can do good things when we are mobile and when we play simply,'' Valbuena said. ''Now we must repeat that kind of performance.''
Montpellier leads the league on goal difference, level on 37 points with Paris Saint-Germain, and two points clear of defending champion Lille and Lyon.
The action continues on Wednesday, before a winter break of three and a half weeks until Jan. 14.
