Champions League -03/11/2009
Marseille thump Zurich
A packed stadium in southern France was treated to an awesome display of attacking football as Marseille gave their Swiss opponents a lesson in finishing.
The home side took the lead when Stephane Mbia's swinging free-kick caused chaos and was headed into his own goal by Zurich's Silvan Aegerter after just four minutes.
FC Zurich looked to reply but were hit by a carbon copy second goal from the French side six minutes later.
It was Mbia again who supplied the free-kick. This time Fabrice Abriel claimed the slightest of touches to guide Marseille into a 2-0 lead with the Zurich defence floundering.
Marseille striker Brandao should have grabbed a third before the break but he shot woefully over when well placed in front of goal.
FC Zurich made the most of the let off and scored a wonderfully crafted goal themselves before half-time.
After neat play in midfield Johan Vonlanthen set up Alexandre Alphonse. He created a yard of space for himself before shooting superbly past a sprawling Steve Mandanda.
Marseille grabbed a classy third after the break when Mamadou Niang played a clever one-two with Bakari Kone on the edge of the penalty area. He raced onto the return pass and calmly lobbed a stranded Johnny Leoni in the Zurich goal.
The French side then scored three more times in the final 10 minutes.
Hilton lashed home from 12 yards to make it 4-1 after yet another free-kick caused panic in the Zurich ranks.
Benoit Cheyrou then scored the goal of the match. He picked the ball up just inside the Zurich half, played a quick one-two with Stephane Mbia, strode forward before belting in a screamer from 30 yards.
Brandao then made amends for his first-half howler when he completed the rout with a simple tap-in following Niang's left-wing cross.
Didier Deschamp's men will now look to matchday five when they go to Milan in two weeks time.
With only a point separating Marseille, Milan and Real Madrid, the French side will feel they have a real chance of progressing from Group C.
On this evidence, do not count them out just yet.