Paris Saint-Germain moved back above lyon to the top in a hard-fought French title race after twice coming back from a goal down to win 3-2 away to bitter rival Marseille in a frenzied match on Sunday. However, the win came at a high price as David luiz and Thiago Motta went off injured with PSG facing a hectic schedule chasing trophies on four fronts. luiz limped off after appearing to pull a hamstring and Motta trudged off right before the end with a similar-looking injury. PSG recently lost central midfielder Yohan Cabaye to a muscle injury, while Brazil winger lucas is still trying to regain full fitness.
Marseille’s top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac struck twice in the first half, either side of France midfielder Blaise Matuidi’s equalizer, to put Marseille in charge. But PSG profited from poor defending to score twice in quick succession at the start of the second half. Brazilian defender Marquinhos equalized and Marseille defender Jeremy Morel scored an own goal moments later with Zlatan Ibrahimovic largely kept quiet, Gignac shone as he took his season’s tally to 18 league goals. But the absence of Cameroon center half Nicolas N’koulou was keenly felt, and Marseille’s defense offered goalkeeper Steve Mandanda scant protection.
PSG started well and, after Ayew lost the ball carelessly in the 12th minute, Javier Pastore’s effort went just wide the goal post. Collecting the ball on the left, he picked out Payet on the right with a cross-field pass before meeting Payet’s cross at the back post and out-jumping Marquinhos before planting a powerful header past goalkeeper.
PSG’s chances took a further blow when luiz limped off in the 34th minute. But a minute later, PSG equalized when Matuidi shrugged off a challenge from defender Brice Djadjedje and curled a shot in off the post just past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. Marseille regained the lead in the 43rd when Verratti’s penchant for trying to dribble out of trouble — literally from anywhere - backfired as he gave the ball away.