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Marseille with a deserved win |
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Ligue 1 champions Marseille closed their campaign with a deserved win over relegated Grenoble as Mamadou Niang secured his place as the division's top scorer.
But Didier Deschamps' side were grateful for a goal-line clearance by Stephane Mbia when they led only 1-0 through Niang's penalty.
Hatem Ben Arfa put the gloss on the result in injury time to ensure the hosts finished six points clear of nearest challengers Lyon at the summit.
Marseille had the better chances throughout, and Benoit Cheyrou was first to threaten when his powerful 20-yard drive was blocked by keeper Ronan Le Crom.
Le Crom then kept out Gabriel Heinze's volley after the defender was picked out by Lucho Gonzalez.
Grenoble almost stunned their opponents when Nassim Akrour seized on an error by defender Charles Kabore and was only narrowly off target with an overhead kick.
But Marseille were soon back on the attack and Heinze threatened again, this time slamming a free-kick against the crossbar.
They finally broke through five minutes before half-time as Jimmy Mainfroi brought down Niang, who picked himself up to send Le Crom the wrong way from the spot and keep himself one goal ahead of Lorient's Kevin Gameiro in the scorers' chart.
Le Crom made a fine double save early in the second half from Ben Arfa's low drive and Niang's follow-up and, after the Senegal striker was again denied from Ben Arfa's through-ball, Mathieu Valbuena's shot was deflected behind.
There was a moment of alarm for the champions as Nicolas Dieuze's cross was headed past keeper Elinton Andrade by Danijel Ljuboja but Mbia got back to clear off the line.
But Ben Arfa provided the final flourish in his side's triumphant campaign, controlling Niang's cross before beating Le Crom.
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