Marseille down Montpellier

PARIS, Jan 3 :Third-placed Marseille won at Montpellier 2-1 for its third straight win in the French league.
Marseille’s confidence was high following a 6-1 home win against Toulouse, and left back Nuno Tavares scored in the 47th minute with a fine strike for his fifth goal of the campaign.
The lead was doubled when Mbemba pressured opposite defender Maxime Estève into an own goal in the 61st.
Tavares was sent off near the end to give Montpellier hope. Midfielder Savanier scored a stoppage-time penalty but the home side ran out of time in a hectic finish.
Marseille remained four points behind second-placed Lens for the automatic Champions League spot and two ahead of fourth-placed Rennes.
Which beat Nice 2-1 at home with a last-gasp winner from winger Bourigeaud.
Forward Martin Terrier put Rennes ahead after six minutes but Ross Barkley equalized with a brilliant curling strike from outside the penalty area. (PTI)