Gomis' goal gives Marseille much-needed win in Ligue 1

Bafetimbi Gomis' first-half strike helped Marseille claim a much-needed 1-0 home win over Metz in France's Ligue 1 football league.

Gomis fired the decisive goal in the 13th minute heer on Sunday when he lashed the ball home from close range following a corner, reports Xinhua.

Marseille later threatened to increase their lead as Bouna Sarr headed just off target, while Clinton N'Jie fired inches wide and had another effort saved by Metz goakeeper Thomas Didillon.

Metz's best chance came early in the second half when Mevlut Erdinc headed Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross off target, while Gomis was denied a second by Didillon after being sent clear by Florian Thauvin's pass in the 71st minute.

Bordeaux earned a point with defender Nicolas Pallois' first goal of the season and the 1-1 draw ended Rennes' 100 per cent home win record.

Rennes were on course to make it five wins out of five in Ligue 1 at Roazhon Park thanks to Diego Contento's own goal a minute before half-time, but Pallois drove home from a 66th-minute corner by Malcom to level things up.

In the other Ligue 1 game on Sunday, Nolan Roux converted a stoppage-time penalty as Saint-Etienne preserved their unbeaten home league record this season with a 1-1 draw against Dijon.

--IANS

sam/vt