Andy Delort has put Caen on course for a surprise victory at the Stade Velodrome against Marseille in their Ligue 1 opener.

The visitors almost took an early lead at the Stade Velodrome as Delort brought a save out of Steve Mandanda.

Marseille nearly forged an early advantage of their own in the eighth minute when Michy Batshuayi fired narrow wide.

However, Caen looked intent on continuing in the same attacking vein as they finished last season, with Delort latching onto Dennis Appiah's cross before seeing his effort stopped by Mandanda.

The French international was called into action moments later as he turned away another Vincent Bessat.

Marseille then had their best chance of the game as Benjamin Mendy's strike came back off the woodwork, but OM then fell behind on 27 minutes as Delort rifled a shot in the top corner.

Les Olympiens appeared to come to life as Florian Thauvin's cross found the head of Batshuayi, but the striker's effort was saved low down by Remi Vercoutre.

Romain Alessandrini went close with a shot from range on the stroke of half time, but OM were unable to get back on terms before the interval.