Marseille sees out old era with victory over Metz

Paris - Marseille prepared for a new era of ownership by squeezing past Metz 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Bafetimbi Gomis' first half goal.

In the last match of the Louis-Dreyfus era, under-performing Marseille gave long-suffering fans some rare cheer in a miserable season that sees the storied side languishing down in 12th in Ligue 1.

Gomis netted his sixth of the season to give American owner Frank McCourt some hope ahead of the first match under his tenure, due on Sunday next when Paris Saint-Germain will provide a daunting test.

Despite an underwhelming start to this campaign, it was at least a third home win this season for Marseille - as many as in the whole of the last campaign when the club finished 13th.

The game itself was forgettable in a Velodrome that was well under half full.

The winning goal came on 13 minutes as Gomis was quickest to the rebound after Metz goalkeeper Thomas Didillon had pushed out his header from a corner.

Marseille had chances to close out the match through Clinton Njie and Gomis in the second half, but was left sweating as Japanese defender Hiroki Sakai almost scored an own goal two minutes from time.

Metz pushed late in the game but perhaps lacked confidence following a 7-0 mauling at the hands of Monaco last time out.