Andre-Pierre Gignac nets winner

In-form Andre-Pierre Gignac struck the winner as Marseille battled back from a goal down to defeat Evian 2-1.

In-form Andre-Pierre Gignac struck the winner as Marseille battled back from a goal down to defeat Evian 2-1 and pick up their first Ligue 1 victory in five matches. L'OM had earned just two points since beating Montpellier at the end of November and they looked in danger of dropping further adrift of the leading sides after seeing Evian take a 15th-minute lead through Modou Sougou. However, the visitors were back on level terms within seven minutes thanks to Benoit Cheyrou and were ahead by half-time through Gignac's strike. That was Gignac's sixth goal in his last five games in all competitions and ended up being the match-winner as neither side could add to the scoreline in the second half. The victory saw Marseille move to within two points of fourth-placed St Etienne in the final European spot, while Evian remain in the bottom five after slumping to a third successive loss. Sougou missed a gilt-edged chance to put Evian ahead early on but soon made up for that error when he met Cedric Barbosa's corner and looped a header over Steve Mandanda and into the net. However, the hosts were not ahead for long as Marseille hit back in fine style when Cheyrou took possession 25 yards out before bending a superb shot around the Evian defence and beyond Bertrand Laquait to level the scores. Entertainment was not short in supply and Evian attempted to offer an instant reply but Mandanda was on hand to make a good stop after Jacques Romao almost turned Sougou's cross into his own net. With half-time less than 10 minutes away, L'OM went in front when Florian Thauvin showed good feet before picking out Gignac perfectly, leaving the 28-year-old with the simple task of heading beyond Laquait. Early in the second half Saber Khelifa almost scored against his former employers to increase Marseille's lead but the Tunisian's curling effort crashed against the bar with Lacquait well beaten. The visitors continued to chase a third and Gignac could have doubled his own tally after he beat two defenders before flicking the ball over Lacquait but OM's top-scorer failed to find the target. Mandanda almost scored a calamitous own goal late on as Evian went in search of an equaliser but, despite a flurry of late pressure form the hosts, Jose Anigo's side held out to claim all three points.