Tottenham's second-half show ensured their passage in the knockout stages of the Champions League with Clement Lenglet and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg both striking.
The north Londoners knew they needed to avoid defeat in France if they were to make the last 16. They also knew Antonio Conte would be watching from the stands after his red card last week. The Italian's absence didn't matter however as a greatly improved second 45 helped Tottenham save their European campaign.
A poor first-half, which saw the visitors hardly have an effort on goal, allowed Marseille to take the lead with Chancel Mbemba, formerly of Newcastle United, heading them in front to delight a partisan Stade Velodrome.
But Tottenham appeared a side reborn in the second-half and quickly levelled the contest as Lenglet nodded in from a free-kick. It stifled the rhythm of the home side and the noise of the home fans as the English side began to show their quality. The hosts missed a huge chance late on as Sead Kolasinac headed wide, but it was the visitors who bagged the three points late in stoppage time with Hojbjerg hammering home.
Here are five talking points from southern France.
1 Another European comeback
This revival in Marseille might not quite rival one that occurred in Amsterdam back in 2019, but it certainly required similar character. Tottenham were outclassed in the opening 45 and deservedly went in at the break trailing, which would've seen them dumped out of the Champions League.
As has been the case in this campaign, the north Londoners had to switch from a defensively minded side to one that needed to attack. They have the personnel to do so, as they proved at Bournemouth on Saturday, and again were able to overturn a result that would've seen them playing their football on Thursday nights.
2 Questions still asked of the system
We've seen this on several occasions from Tottenham under Conte. They're a side capable of playing on the front foot, dictating play and asserting themselves on their opponents. But rather than doing so they've been willing to sit back and invite pressure, which too often has seen them concede first.
Tottenham's response after the interval was almost immediate though, which begs the question why they have to concede before they start playing with more ambition. Many will point to the system employed by Conte, which certainly has his critics, and may have to be tweaked if they are to stop an unwanted trend of conceding first and having to perform heroics.
3 Son concerns
Tottenham's task was not helped by Heung-min Son's forced early exit. The South Korean, along with Kane, is the main source of goals but was down for an extended period after suffering a blow to the head midway through the first-half. It left Son in some major discomfort as he was helped off the pitch.
Head knocks and the treatment of them continue to be a hot topic and protocols, which state the forward has to sit out for the next six days, could mean he misses the trip to Liverpool on Sunday. Tottenham's resources are already being stretched with Richarlison absent so another injury is the last thing they need.
4 England's full house
Tottenham were the only Premier League outfit who had a question mark hanging over them heading into the final round of Champions League matches. Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea were all assured of a spot in the knockout stages and England were able to make it four from four.
A turnaround in Marseille ensured that the north Londoners will feature in the last 16 for the first time since 2020. A crazy Group D saw plenty of positional changes, but by full-time it was Tottenham who secured top spot in the group thanks to their stoppage time winner, which could be hugely beneficial come the knockout draw.
5 Keeping it in north London
Tottenham will have faced plenty of familiar faces in the south of France. Their arch rivals Arsenal have been something of a feeder club for Marseille in recent seasons with their former or current players making up over 25 per cent of their starting XI on Tuesday night at the Velodrome.
Matteo Guendouzi and Alexis Sanchez, who are permanent residents, and Nuno Tavares, who joined on loan in the summer, all ran out for the French side and, no doubt, had an added want to down those from the white half of north London. Sanchez particularly has enjoyed games against Tottenham, scoring in home and away games.
Kolasinac appeared from the bench and missed the best chance of the second-half as the group of former Arsenal men failed to dump Tottenham out. As if the subplot of Champions League qualification wasn't enough.
