Nice defender Melvin Bard (left) challenges Marseille forward Mason Greenwood during the French L1 football match at Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on Friday. (Photos: AFP)
November 22, 2025
NICE, France (AFP) — Marseille climbed provisionally top of the French Ligue 1 on Friday after walloping woeful Nice 5-1 in a one-sided local derby with fireworks on and off the pitch.
Marseille’s player of the season so far, Mason Greenwood, scored twice, while former Arsenal frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Timothy Weah, and Igor Paixao were all on the scoresheet.
Marseillle climbed to 28 points from 13 games, while Paris Saint-Germain have 27 ahead of their home game with Le Havre on Saturday.
PSG have been depleted by a string of injuries but have won their last two games with goals after the 90th minute.
Aubameyang was unmarked when he tapped home in the 11th minute. Greenwood ripped Nice open down the right and scored either side of half-time.
Greenwood has 10 goals in Ligue 1 this season, one ahead of Joaquin Panichelli of Strasbourg who face third-placed Lens Saturday.
The Nice players were furious with a perceived elbowing and the bench joined the melee. Near the end an astonishing firework display in the Marseille section almost saw the match abandoned.
Paul Pogba is expected to make his long-awaited return to action after two years out of the game when Monaco travel to Rennes on Saturday.
FRIDAY’S RESULT
Nice 1, Marseille 5
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Lens vs Strasbourg
Rennes vs Monaco
PSG vs Le Havre
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Auxerre vs Lyon
Nantes vs Lorient
Brest vs Metz
Toulouse vs Angers
Lille v Paris FC
Roberto De Zerbi, the Olympique de Marseille head coach
