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.
http://www.om.net/fr/Saison/102002/Matches/838/OM_2_1_ASSE_L_OM_finit_fort
Brother Poolman pasted the wrong photo.
His hair is still crazy.
Hope he can still come back to Anfield.
well done to cisse! i hope he recovers quickly!
will both be back for LFC??
Written by: Dave Cohen
HUELVA, Dec 24 (SW) – On loan from Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle says he hopes to return to Liverpool by the end of the season.
In a radio interview with the RMC radio station the French striker said that LiverpoolÂ’s boss Rafa Benitez wanted him back at Anfield.
, no more fancy hair style