A late equaliser from Fabrice Abriel denied Marseille all three points on Sunday, as Nice twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Stade Velodrome.
With Paris Saint-Germain in action against defending champions Montpellier later in the day, the result moved Marseille a point clear of their arch-rivals at the top of Ligue 1 but the gap could have been greater as Elie Baup’s side were left to rue an 88th-minute strike from Abriel.
Jordan Ayew scored in his third straight game, as he headed in Mathieu Valbuena’s clipped cross to give Marseille the lead five minutes before half-time.
Dario Cvitanich then notched his fourth league goal since arriving in Nice six minutes after the interval, diving to nod in Eric Bautheac’s free-kick at the far post.
Valbuena put Marseille back in front, stabbing home after Andre Ayew’s initial effort rebounded off the crossbar and the back of Nice goalkeeper David Ospina.
But the home side were undone two minutes from time as Abriel swept in Camel Meriem’s miscued volley from close-range to level the scores and earn draw specialists Nice a seventh stalemate of the season.
Nice snatch late draw at Marseille
