Ayew's brace takes Lorient past Marseille

Marseille (France), April 25: Jordan Ayew claimed a brace to help French football club Lorient win 5-3 away over his former team Marseille in the Ligue 1 here.

It was the fourth straight defeat of the home side which could cost the fourth-placed team a berth in next season’s Champions League, reports Xinhua.

Just nine minutes into the game on Friday, the visitors opened the scoring as a back-heel pass from left winger Romain Philippoteaux set up Ayew to strike past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

Ayew, who was sold by Marseille in January 2014, came out the provider four minutes later, heading a cross to Francois Bellugou, who nodded it in to make it 2-0.

It was Jordan’s elder brother Andre Ayew who pulled one goal back for the hosts, netting in the ball in the 59th minute with his heel after a Dimitri Payet free-kick had come off the post.

Jeremy Morel made it 2-2 eight minutes later as the unmarked midfielder headed in another Payet delivery.

Lorient reclaimed the lead through Philippoteaux in the next minute, before Marseille leveled it (76th minute) through Michy Batshuayi, who scored just seconds after coming off the bench.

Jordan Ayew then found the target for the second time (84th), taking his league tally for the season to 11, before midfielder Mathias Autret wrapped the game up two minutes later with a 5-3 win for Lorient.

The visitors climbed away from the relegation zone and now sit in 14th place. Marseille, however, remain in fourth place, leading fifth-placed Saint-Etienne on goal difference and two points behind third-placed Moco, who will travel to bottom side Lens on Sunday.

Lyon lead the standings on goal difference from defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, who host Lille on Saturday and have one game in hand. (IANS)