Leaders Monaco come back to beat Marseille 2-1 ( 2003-12-06 09:09) (Agencies)
Leaders Monaco snuffed out Olympique Marseille's hopes of challenging for the
French title when a superb Ludovic Giuly goal gave them a 2-1 away win on
Friday.
Champions Olympique Lyon stayed six points behind in second place after a 2-1
home win over Metz but Marseille are now 12 points adrift of Monaco in fifth
place after their fourth successive home defeat in all competitions.
Striker Ahmed Mido put Marseille ahead shortly before halftime but Monaco,
unbeaten since August 9 in the league, dominated the second half.
They equalised through a header by central defender Sebastien Squillaci off a
Jerome Rothen free kick before midfielder Giuly danced through the Marseille
defence from halfway to flick the ball home with his left foot.
It was Giuly's ninth goal of the season. Marseille were booed off the pitch.
Lyon started hesitantly and Metz, 17th at start of play, went ahead in the
22nd minute when Florent Malouda centred at the end of a counter-attack for
Jonathan Jager to score with a header.
Six minutes later striker Peguy Luyindula equalised with his eighth goal of
the season from about 10 metres out.
Lyon clinched all three points shortly after halftime when Brazilian defender
Edmilson met a corner from compatriot Juninho and the ball went in the net off
his back.
