Josh Maja scores twice but Le Havre remain winless after Marseille defeat

Le Havre striker Josh Maja says his side must address their shortcomings and stay united after a sixth Ligue 1 defeat left them at the foot of the table.

Le Havre have taken only two points from their opening eight matches and are still waiting for their first victory of the campaign. Their latest setback came at the Stade Velodrome, where they lost 5-2 to Marseille in a seven-goal contest.

The visitors were four goals behind before Maja began a late fightback. The one-cap Nigeria international pulled one back in the 77th minute, then scored again a minute from full-time to make it 5-2 and give Marseille an anxious finish.

Despite the two goals, Le Havre could not avoid another defeat. Maja called for his team-mates to remain together as they attempt to improve a difficult start and avoid relegation to the second tier of French football.

“It’s a tough game. I think every team that comes here knows it’s difficult in this stadium,” the Sunderland academy graduate said in quotes relayed by Tellementfoot.

“But from our side, we have to focus on the positives. We finished the game well, even though we lost.

“There are things to correct, but we all have to stick together to turn things around.

“We know the situation, we’re bottom of the table and it’s tough, but we have to focus on the positives to change things.”

Maja returned to France in the summer transfer window after spending four and a half seasons at Bordeaux. He joined Le Havre on a contract running until June 2027.

His goals at Marseille were his latest contribution since making the move, but Le Havre remain without a win after eight league fixtures and face a long battle to move away from the relegation places.