Marseille beat Sochaux to go top

French League Cup winners Marseille were the latest team to go top of the French league in what is turning into a thrilling title race, with a 3-0 victory over Sochaux on Wednesday.

The eight-time champions, whose last title in 1992 was under the present coach Didier Deschamps’ captaincy, hold a two-point lead over seven-time champions Lyon, Montpellier and Auxerre, but Marseille have a game in hand on them.

Defending champions Bordeaux – who were beaten by Deschamps’ side in the League Cup final to land their first silverware since 1993 – are three points adrift of Marseille with a game in hand.

Marseille had the three points wrapped up by half-time as Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze and French international midfielder Hatem Ben-Arfa struck, the latter with a penalty.

International Ivory Coast striker Bakari Kone grabbed the third in time added-on in the second-half with a delightful lob to send Marseille top of the league for the first time this campaign.