Benoit Cheyrou believes Marseille's work ethic from back to front could lead them to their first title since 1992.

OM defeated St Etienne 3-0 away last night to move back to within a point of league leaders Lyon, who beat Le Mans 3-1 24 hours earlier.

Mamadou Niang (two) and Brandao were the second-half scorers but the strike duo's tracking back and defensive work has been almost as important as the goals they have netted in recent weeks.

And with Marseille's defence also improved with the arrival of Renato Civelli at centre-back, Cheyrou feels the title could be theirs if they keep up their hard work.

"Our strikers are scoring the goals but they have also done extraordinary work off the ball," said Cheyrou.

"We are all working hard and that is why it's working so well. We attack and defend together.

"People will talk about our strikers but you must see once again that we haven't conceded a goal. It has been like that for a while now and when you look at the major leagues, the team who concede the least amount of goals are the ones high up.

"Everyone is doing their work, the strikers too, and it is thanks to them that we are conceding less goals."

Marseille look a well-oiled machine under wily coach Eric Gerets, whose half-time introduction of Hatem Ben Arfa when the score was 0-0 proved decisive.

The Mediterranean side did not appear concerned that they had failed to make their dominance count in the first half, and they took the lead on the hour mark through Niang's penalty.

Brandao and Niang then netted close-range headers as the visitors eased to a comfortable and fully-deserved victory, their sixth in the last eight rounds of fixtures.

Gerets knows his side could go all the way if they carry on their current form.

"People will speak of a great evening for Marseille because we claimed a large win but our rivals are not proving feeble either," said the Belgian, who had seen title challengers Lyon, Bordeaux, Paris St Germain and Lille all win earlier in the weekend.

"There remains eight finals to play. If we win them all, we clearly won't be too far off."

OM will now switch their attention to the UEFA Cup and their quarter-final first leg away at Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.