Marseille claimed the French League Cup as a late goal from Taye Taiwo was good enough to secure silverware.
Taiwo effort good enough to see off Montpellier in final
Marseille claimed the French League Cup on Saturday evening as a late goal from Taye Taiwo was good enough to secure silverware.
The Nigerian ensured Marseille became the first side to retain the trophy in its 17-year history, as he scored the only goal of the contest with ten minutes remaining.
In truth it was a final that will not live long in the memory but Marseille will care not one iota as they celebrate long into the night.
Marseille's defeat of Bordeaux in last year's final was the catalyst for their first French league title since 1992 and they will now hope for a similar boost in the current title race, as they trail leaders Lille by a point with seven games remaining.
The fans at Stade de France had to wait until the 20th minute to see either goalkeeper make a save, with long-serving former Montpellier captain Laurent Pionnier beating away a Lucho Gonzalez free-kick.
Mathieu Valbuena was Marseille's most enterprising player throughout and he came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 32nd minute when he shook the left-hand post with a half-volley.
Despite boisterous support from boths sets of fans, the game remained scrappy and low on technical quality in the second half.
Andre Ayew twice threatened with his head for the holders but with extra-time beckoning, Marseille finally made the breakthrough in the 80th minute.
Montpellier failed to clear the ball from a free-kick, allowing Taiwo to drive the ball home through a crowd of players with his weaker right foot and keep the League Cup trophy at Stade Velodrome for at least another year.
