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Football: Saint Etienne end 32-year wait for silverware

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 17:30
Saint Etienne won their first major honour in three decades on Saturday, beating Rennes 1-0 to lift the League Cup at the Stade de France. Brazilian striker Brandao scored the only goal in the 18th minute to lift the trophy for a third time after two successful campaigns with former club Marseille. "Thirty two years is a long time -- our first time at the Stade de France and we did it. Brandao was our locomotive but the whole team were fantastic," said coach Christophe Galtier.

Football: Sidwell, Giroud off as Arsenal edge Fulham

Agence France-PresseApril 20, 2013 12:45
Per Mertesacker's first-half header gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at Fulham that moved them up to third place in the Premier League on Saturday, but Arsene Wenger's side struggled to overcome a home side reduced to 10 men for 78 minutes. The victory moved the Gunners two points clear of Chelsea and five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom have two games in hand ahead of their meetings with Liverpool and Manchester City respectively on Sunday.

Football: Last-gasp Lyon keep title hopes alive

Agence France-PresseApril 19, 2013 18:01
A goal in the third minute of injury time from Clement Grenier gave Lyon a 2-1 win at champions Montpellier on Friday to keep their slim French title hopes alive. The win moved Lyon into second place on 59 points, one ahead of Marseille, who have a game in hand, but eight behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Grenier's potentialy decisive strike came after a corner from Yoann Gourcuff was only half-cleared by an Abdelhamid El-Kaoutari header. The ball fell for Grenier whose half-volley from the edge of the penalty area found the net off the crossbar.

Football: Last-gasp Lyon keep title hopes alive

Agence France-PresseApril 19, 2013 17:16
A goal in the third minute of injury time from Clement Grenier gave Lyon a 2-1 win at champions Montpellier on Friday to keep their slim French title hopes alive. The win moved Lyon into second place on 59 points, one ahead of Marseille, who have a game in hand, but eight behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Grenier's potentialy decisive strike came after a corner from Yoann Gourcuff was only half-cleared by an Abdelhamid El-Kaoutari header. The ball fell for Grenier whose half-volley from the edge of the penalty area found the net off the crossbar.

Football: Saint-Etienne dismiss final favourites tag

Agence France-PresseApril 19, 2013 13:01
Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier has dismissed suggestions that his team should be considered as favourites to win Saturday's French League Cup final against Rennes at the Stade de France. The form book suggests Les Verts are the favourites to win the club's first national final in 31 years, even if their unbeaten start to 2013 was finally ended in Tuesday's French Cup quarter-final defeat to Lorient. Rennes have not won any of their last eight games and coach Frederic Antonetti this week described his team as 'losers'.

Football: Wenger puts faith in 'extrovert' Giroud

Agence France-PresseApril 18, 2013 20:32
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud will not shirk the responsibility of spearheading the club's bid to secure a place in next season's Champions League. France striker Giroud came in for criticism for his failure to convert a number of chances in the Gunners' goalless home draw with Everton this week. Arsenal's failure to win that game opened the door for Chelsea to move above them into third place, although the places will be reversed if Wenger's side can beat Fulham at Craven Cottage, 24 hours before the Blues travel to Liverpool.

Arsenal wait on Rosicky fitness

April 18, 2013 14:15
(Reuters) - Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is a doubt for Saturday's Premier League game at Fulham as he battles a hamstring injury, manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday. The Czech Republic captain's season has been badly disrupted by injury but his fortunes improved when he scored twice in a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on April 6. However, he missed last weekend's 3-1 win over Norwich City and was an unused substitute in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Everton because of his latest knock.

Marseille rely on strong defence in home straight

April 18, 2013 06:30
By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - Despite a heavy international presence up front, Olympique Marseille are relying on their defence of steel in their bid for a Champions League direct qualifying spot. Second-placed OM, who take on second-from-bottom Stade Brest on Saturday (1600 BST), have not conceded a goal in their last five Ligue 1 outings, thanks to sterling performances by centre backs Lucas Mendes and Nicolas N'Koulou, while keeper Steve Mandanda produced a world-class performance in the 0-0 draw at Lille last Sunday.

Cup offers St Etienne and Rennes rare trophy chance

April 17, 2013 23:00
By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - St Etienne president Roland Romeyer has already started his four-day bike ride to Paris for Saturday's League Cup final where his club face Stade Rennes with both sides chasing a first trophy for more than 30 years. While this cup is not as prestigious as the French Cup or even a Champions League qualifying spot, for the clubs meeting at the Stade de France it is a big deal as shown by Romeyer's vow to pedal there if his players reached the final.

Football: Evian pour cold water on PSG double hopes

Agence France-PresseApril 17, 2013 18:45
Paris Saint-Germain's hopes of a domestic double this season ended on Wednesday as Ligue 1 minnows Evian eliminated them 4-1 on penalties after their quarter-final ended 1-1 after extra-time. PSG - who were knocked out of the Champions League last week by Barcelona - had taken the lead through Javier Pastore in the eighth minute. However, Tunisian international Saber Khlifa nipped in behind a static David Beckham two minutes from half-time to level.
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