St. Etienne beat Olympique Marseille

Saint Etienne:

After their UEFA Cup victory in Moscow, Olympique Marseille returned to the French League with a bump when they lost 2-1 to Saint-Etienne on Sunday. Eighth in the French La Ligue, Marseille started poorly again, conceding a free-kick five yards from the edge of their box in the 25th minute. Up stepped David Hellebuyck for St Etienne, and his inch perfect curling freekick found Pascal Feindouno for a header that beat Fabien Bartez and put the home side ahead. Marseille struck back with an equaliser twelve minutes later, thanks in no small part to the skill of Sergio Contreras Pardo ("Keko"). Determined run His determined run broke through Sable and Ilunga to set up Franck Ribery at the far post. And while Marseille looked to be upping their game at the start of the second half, it was Saint-Etienne making the running and with the best of the chances. And they were duly rewarded with a second goal five minutes before full time. A quick one-two with Damien Perquis set up David Hellebuyck in the box and a quite superb shot sealed victory for the home side. The win rockets then up from seventh place in La Ligue 1 to fourth on 20 points - only one behind third placed Girondins Bordeaux. Meanwhile, the bad news continues for Jean Fernandez as his team slip down a place to eighth. (AP)