MARSEILLE, December 22 (Ligue 1) - Marseille put their off-field
distractions aside on Friday night to secure an impressive victory
over high-flying St Etienne.
Under-pressure coach Albert Emon has been reassured by sporting
director Jose Anigo that his position is not under threat despite
the club being linked with Sven-Goran Eriksson, and will enjoy his
winter break all the more having clinched three points against Ivan
Hasek's high-flyers.
Djibril Cisse opened his Marseille account in the ninth minute to
give the hosts the perfect start at the Stade Velodrome.
Marek Heinz levelled for St Etienne on the stroke of half-time, but
Mickael Pagis fired home the winner for OM in the 64th
minute.
Cisse, who has just returned to fitness following a broken leg,
retained his starting place despite spitting his dummy when he was
substituted after 65 minutes in last weekend's 2-0 defeat at
Nancy.
The on-loan Liverpool frontman felt he was feeling well enough to
stay on, and said so to the press after the match.
He let his football do the talking on Friday, however, and almost
set up the opener within eight minutes. His cross to the far post
found Lorik Cana, who controlled and shot fiercely at the goal only
to see St Etienne stopper Jeremy Janot pull off a magnificent save,
tipping the ball around the post.
From the resulting corner, Ronald Zubar fed Cisse, who was
perfectly positioned to slot the ball home.
The visitors equalised just before the half-time whistle. Cedric
Carrasso kept out the initial shot from Pascal Feindouno, but
Frederic Piquionne followed up and, although this effort too was
saved, Geoffrey Dernis' ball found its way to Heinz who gave the
Marseille goalkeeper no chance.
Christophe Landrin's audacious effort from fully 50 yards came
within inches of giving St Etienne the lead four minutes after the
restart.
But his shot went narrowly wide, and quarter of an hour later his
side were behind again.
Janot kept out a stunning shot from Pagis with an equally amazing
save in the 62nd minute, but the striker was not to be denied 60
seconds later.
After good work on the left by Taye Taiwo, Pagis slotted a
right-footed shot inside the post.
St Etienne substitute Daniel Bilos came close to setting up the
equaliser for Piquionne, but the frontman's header was collected by
a calm Carrasso.
Lamine Diatta then crossed towards Piquionne, who arrived swiftly
on the scene and headed just wide with Carrasso rooted to the
spot.
What is wrong with Liverpool ?
Nando and Cisse doing good in their own league again.
