Andre-Pierre Gignac netted a brace as Marseille ended a four-match losing streak to see off lowly Metz 2-0 in Friday's night's Ligue 1 clash at Stade Saint-Symphorien.
The France striker struck the opener seven minutes before the break and added a second just after the hour mark as Marcelo Bielsa's men claimed all three points.
The win moved Marseille up to fourth at the expense of St Etienne on goal difference, with the latter in action at Bastia on Saturday, while Metz appear doomed to relegation as they sit eight points from safety with three matches remaining.
Despite commanding much of the ball early on, the away side struggled to create a worthy chance and it was Metz who went closest to opening the scoring inside the first five minutes.
Modibo Maiga escaped on the right from Bouna Sarr's ball and his cut-back was met by Kevin Lejeune but the former Tours midfielder saw his goalbound effort pushed away by Steve Mandanda.
The visiting crowd had to wait until the 25th minute to see their side test Anthony Mfa but the Metz keeper stood firm from Gianelli Imbula's powerful low effort after Gignac picked him out.
Then, after 38 minutes, Bielsa's side made the breakthrough, despite having failed to inspire so far.
Palomino got in the way of his own goalkeeper from Dimitri Payet's corner and Gignac was on hand to take full advantage, sweeping the ball classily past Mfa to send l'OM into the break a goal to the good.
Marseille could easily have doubled their lead seven minutes after the restart when Ayew met Gignac's delivery but the Ghanaian's volley was kept out by the knee of Mfa in the Metz goal.
Marseille were not having it all their own way, though, and Mandanda had to be alert to keep out Ferjani Sassi's testing drive from the edge of the area.
However, shortly after the hour mark, Bielsa's team as good as wrapped up all three points when Payet released Gignac in behind the hosts' defence and the France international cleverly lifted the ball over Mfa before saluting the travelling Marseille fans.
Florent Malouda and Sarr both tested Mandanda soon after as the hosts looked to claw their way back into the match.
It was the visitors who went closest in the latter stages, though, when Ayew had two opportuniites in the space of a few seconds but Mfa stood up well after Lucas Ocampos' pass caused problems fro the Metz defence.