Niang Brace Hands Marseille Their First Win

Senegal's Mamadou Niang scored twice in Olympique Marseille's first win in this years Champions League © PA Photo

Senegal striker Mamadou Niang scored twice and Bakary Kone got the other as Olympique Marseille secured their first points in this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign by crushing PSV Eindhoven 3-0 on a soggy pitch on Tuesday.

Cote d’Ivoire striker Bakary Kone collected a fine through ball from France forward Hatem Ben Arfa to race into the box and open the scoring half an hour into the clash between the two bottom teams in Group D.

Kone was also involved in Marseille’s second goal, sending a cross that Niang volleyed home from close range just after the hour. Niang was on target again for Marseille’s third goal from another Ben Arfa pass on 71 minutes.

Former European champions Marseille, who had lost their first three matches, join Eindhoven on three points with the two sides still hoping for at least third place in the group to continue in the UEFA Cup.

Torrential rain in the Mediterranean port threatened to force a postponement but stopped two hours before kickoff and the game went ahead as planned.

The visitors came close to equalising shortly before halftime when a header by Ecuador midfielder Edison Mendez bounced off the post.

Marseille survived another fright early in the second half when keeper Steve Mandanda had to dive to prevent forward Danny Koevermans scoring from close range before Niang’s quick strikes killed off the match.

Liverpool and Atletico Madrid lead the way on eight points after a 1-1 draw at Anfield.