Marseille's struggles continue

Marseille's horrid league run continued on Wednesday with a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier at the Stade Velodrome.

With 40 points on the season, Marseille has dropped well out of the race for a European spot. The club has not picked up a league win since Jan. 29, taking just three points from its last 10 games.

Younes Belhanda recorded a brace to help doom Marseille to a second straight league defeat, while Olivier Giroud continued his tear in front of goal by adding a third goal for Montpellier, extending his lead atop the Ligue 1 scoring chart. Stephane M'Bia provided the lone goal for Marseille.

Belhanda got the visitors off the mark early, converting from the penalty spot in the seventh minute. M'Bia struck in the 33rd minute to send the two sides into halftime deadlocked at a goal apiece.

Montpellier took control of the match in the second half as Giroud bagged the winner four minutes after the break while Belhanda sealed the affair in the 71st minute with his second of the match.

Rene Girard's men go three points clear at the top of France's top flight with 66 points on the year.