PARIS — Amine Gouiri is making a significant impact as a new addition to Marseille’s squad.
The dynamic forward netted two exceptional goals and contributed to three others as Marseille dominated Saint-Etienne with a score of 5-1 in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Since his transfer from Rennes during the January transfer window, Gouiri has also accumulated three assists in just three appearances.
Although Marseille’s victory was impressive, it did not alter the standings at the top of the league, as the unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain continued to hold a 10-point cushion after securing a narrow 1-0 win at Toulouse.
PSG had previously drawn and lost to Toulouse last season, and this matchup proved to be another tough battle.
Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes performed admirably, making an excellent save against winger Bradley Barcola just before halftime.
However, Restes was forced to leave the game with a leg injury and was substituted by Kjetil Haug.
It was Haug who conceded PSG’s opening goal in the 52nd minute when Fabián Ruiz found the net after Willian Pacho’s header struck the crossbar.
Earlier in the match, Gouiri had already given Marseille the lead with a fantastic individual effort where he cut in from the left, using Adrien Rabiot as a decoy before curling an impressive shot into the top right corner from 20 meters in the 27th minute.
Shortly after the second half began, Gouiri was instrumental again, providing a pass that resulted in a handball by a defender, allowing Mason Greenwood to convert the ensuing penalty kick, bringing the score to 2-0 for his 14th goal of the season.
Gouiri’s involvement continued as he assisted in the third goal; after his and Quentin Merlin’s shots were rebuffed, the ball eventually fell to defender Amir Murillo who finished it off.
Following a midfield turnover by Saint-Etienne, Gouiri seized a pass from Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg and executed an exquisite lob over the advancing goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur.
The fifth goal for Marseille showcased Gouiri’s playmaking abilities as he threaded a curling pass from the right to Amar Dedic, who headed it back across the goal, allowing Rabiot to score.
Lucas Stassin managed to secure a late consolation goal for Saint-Etienne.
In other matches, Mika Biereth delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a hat trick as third-placed Monaco overwhelmed Nantes with a 7-1 victory despite initially trailing to an early goal.
Just two weeks after his remarkable eight-minute hat trick against Auxerre, the Danish striker, who hails from London, added another treble at Stade Louis II.
Since his transfer from Sturm Graz, Biereth has accumulated seven goals in six league games.
Nantes had a bright beginning, with striker Matthis Albine scoring within four minutes, but a red card handed to defender Nicolas Coazza soon altered the game’s dynamics.
Biereth and Japanese forward Takumi Minamino both found the net shortly before halftime, and the floodgates opened from there.
Eliesse Ben Seghir scored in the 49th minute, followed by Biereth adding two more goals and 18-year-old George Ilenikhena capitalizing on two late chances.
Monaco now remains six points behind Marseille in the league standings.
