Vitinha brace sees Marseille ease past Toulouse
The Stade Velodrome had previously been the only Ligue 1 ground not to witness a goal in the opening 10 minutes this term, but it took Vitinha just two to open his Marseille account as he turned Yoann Salmier with ease and struck clinically.
Despite a dejected Troyes side offering very little resistance, hinting at why they have the league’s second-worst away record, Vitinha and Alexis Sanchez both missed clear opportunities to double Les Olympiens’ lead, while Cengiz Under’s ambitious effort curled agonisingly off target.
Even at 1-0, the contest felt like a training exercise, and Jonathan Clauss panicked Gauthier Gallon with an effort so audacious it usually wouldn’t make it off the practice pitch, although the curling ball was eventually tipped wide.
Gallon then displayed bravery to rush out and stop Issa Kabore’s shot after the former Troyes loanee produced some exquisite touches to work space for himself.
However, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do when he was left exposed again before the break, as Valentin Rongier dispossessed Lucien Agoume and slipped through Under, who placed the ball in off the far post.
Flare smoke impacted visibility as the teams re-emerged after the break, but there was no hiding Troyes’ defensive frailties, as Vitinha missed the target twice after doing very little to earn those opportunities.
The Portuguese striker eventually got his brace shortly after the hour mark, instinctively finishing when he was left completely unmarked as Sead Kolasinac’s header sent the ball cannoning off the post and into his path.
There was a late consolation for Troyes as Mama Balde made a burst up the pitch and wrongfooted Kabore before sliding his shot past Pau Lopez, although Les Olympiens ended a run of five winless home league matches at a canter, usurping Lens to leave themselves second in the Ligue 1 table.
Meanwhile, Troyes remain 10 points adrift of safety after suffering a 10th loss from their last 11 away games, giving Patrick Kisnorbo very little encouragement that his side’s situation will improve.