A penalty from Andre-Pierre Gignac gave Marseille a vital win over Evian TG as they look to chase down Lyon at the top of Ligue 1.

The striker converted from the spot after Dimitri Payet was fouled inside the box at the start of the second half.

Marseille started the strongest, with Brice Dja Djedje coming close with a header and then a close-range shot, while Gianelli Imbula had a number of attempts blocked.

Gignac then saw two headers fly over the bar as his side pushed for an opener just before half time.

Imbula then skewed another couple of shots wide after the break and Jacques-Alaixys Romao smashed a great chance over the bar as Marseille piled on the pressure for a second goal that would kill the game off.

Evian were overrun all game and only Marseille's failure to convert in front of goal kept the scoreline respectable, with Gignac's penalty the only shot on target from 18 attempts.

Marseille stay in third position, four points behind Lyon, despite the victory, while Evian remain in 16th.