South Korea`s Park seals Monaco victory

AFP - 4 October 2009 23:30

Marseille forward Taiwa Ismaila (L) vies with Monaco defender Alexandre Lolo (R) during their French L1 football match Marseille vs. Monaco in Marseille. Monaco won 2-1.

PARIS (AFP) - South Korea international striker Park Chu-young scored a memorable goal to help Monaco to a 2-1 win at Marseille on Sunday and a place in the top four of the French first division.

It was the 24-year-old's second league goal of the season as Monaco went into fourth spot, five points behind leaders Lyon.

Park was put clear by a fine, long pass from Argentine midfielder Alejandro Alonso in the 42 minute.

Marseille defenders Gabriel Heinze and Souleymane Diawara allowed the Korean to break away from their attention to score past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for a 2-0 lead.

Monaco had taken the lead in the 19th minute through Brazilian midfielder Nene, but they had to survive a nervous closing period when Mamadou Niang grabbed his sixth goal of the season to cut the deficit.

Marseille, beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek and 3-2 by Valenciennes last weekend, are fifth in the table, a point behind Monaco.

"It was a good time to play Marseille," admitted Monaco coach Guy Lacombe. "They were playing their third match in a week and we know it's always tough playing after a European game.

"This result gives me hope, but also expectations."

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps refused to panic.

"I'm convinced we can do better. It's been a difficult week, but I am convinced in the potential of this team."

Lyon went top with a 2-0 win over Lens on Saturday as defending champions Bordeaux slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Saint Etienne.

Sydney Govou gave Lyon a sixth-minute lead before Kim Kallstrom wrapped up the three points late in the second period.

Lyon have 20 points, one ahead of Bordeaux, and are the only undefeated side left in the division.

Bordeaux were missing influential midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-0 Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa, as the champions suffered their first loss since a 3-0 reverse against Toulouse on March 7.

Saint Etienne were ahead after just eight minutes with a headed goal from Augusto Fernandez.

Araujo Ilan made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark with Bordeaux's Brazilian import Jussie pulling a goal back from the penalty spot.

Saint Etienne wrapped up the three points in stoppage time when Dimitri Payet unleashed a 35-metre screamer.

Montpellier are third after a 3-2 win at rock-bottom Grenoble who have lost all of their eight league matches.

Victor Montano and Nenad Dzodic gave Montpellier a 2-0 lead after just 13 minutes before Daniel Ljuboja reduced the deficit early in the second half.

Dzodic extended Montpellier's lead in the 49th minute with Nicolas Dieuze's injury-time strike coming too late to halt Grenoble's miserable run, a record for successive defeats in the French league.

Paris St Germain are now in seventh place, seven points behind Lyon, after a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes against Nancy.