Marseille left it late but eventually ground out a 2-1 win at Montpellier to reduce the gap between themselves and Ligue 1 leaders Lille to just a point.
With Lille drawing with Bordeaux last night, a win for Marseille was a must, but it did not look as though they would get it when Olivier Giroud gave the home side a 64th-minute lead.
Andre-Pierre Gignac quickly levelled though, before Abdelhamid El Kaoutari brought down Loic Remy for a penalty. The pair were sent off after exchanging blows and Taye Taiwo slammed home the spot-kick.
For all the late drama, the first half was a complete non-event, with neither side creating a chance of note. By the time the hour ticked past, an opportunity had yet to be forged, but then the game sprung into life.
First, Giroud picked up the ball on the edge of the box after good work from Joris Marveaux and left Steve Mandanda with no chance with a sweet finish just inside the post.
Then, with 68 minutes on the clock, Benoit Cheyrou released Gignac with a pass putting him one-on-one with Geoffrey Jourden, and he made no mistake to put his side level.
Marseille`s Andre Ayew then forced Jourden into a stunning save with a volley but, as Remy hared after the rebound he had his shirt pulled by El Kaoutari.
Remy slapped his opponent across the face and saw red, putting him out of next weekend`s cup final, with El Kaoutari then following him off thanks to a second yellow card.
Taiwo was the coolest man in the ground though, keeping his composure to score from the spot and win it for Marseille.