Les Merlus came into the match on a three-game winless run (2D, 1L), but they nearly took the lead early on when Panos Katseris was played in over the top, forcing a stop from Geronimo Rulli. Moments later, L’OM had their best chance of the first half, when a header looped into the air and fell to Mason Greenwood, who was thwarted by Yvon Mvogo, keeping him one goal behind in the golden boot race.
Lorient looked the more energetic side in front of their home fans, and took the lead midway through the half when Bamba Dieng controlled a long ball before it was deflected towards Katseris, who made no mistake to fire beyond Rulli.
Marseille had started the second half as the more attacking of the two sides, with substitute Timothy Weah, Himad Abdelli, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all having shots within the first 10 minutes.
Yet none of them could break down the Lorient defence, with Mvogo coming to the rescue. L’OM were made to pay soon after, as Pablo Pagis played a lovely pass into Bamba Dieng, who chipped an effort over Rulli to double the hosts’ advantage.
That marked former Marseille man Dieng’s ninth league strike of the season, surpassing his career tally with his former employers.
Pagis almost got a goal for himself later on, but was denied by Rulli as none of the visitors’ substitutes managed to impact the result, ultimately seeing Marseille slump to their third defeat in their last four and 10th on the season overall.
As a result, their troubling away form continues, with this a fourth loss in their last five away from Stade Velodrome. As for Lorient, they have now made it 14 matches without defeat at home in the league (8W, 6D), keeping them ninth in the standings.