Taiwo takes Marseille through

Taye Ismaila Taiwo kept his composure to convert a last-gasp penalty as Olympique de Marseille earned a narrow win against SC Heerenveen, to secure a top-three berth in Group F and a place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup.

Vandenbussche woe
The Nigerian defender stepped up after Brian Vandenbussche had brought down Mamadou Niang in the penalty box, and drove the ball hard and low to the goalkeeper's left to leave the Stade Vélodrome in raptures. It was a cruel blow to the Heerenveen No1, who had until then kept his team in the game with a series of superb saves, but the goal means the Dutch team must now win their final Group F game against PFC Levski Sofia on 14 December to have any hope of progressing.

Marseille dominant
It could have been different for the visitors had Klaas Jan Huntelaar not headed a fine sixth-minute opportunity straight at goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. By then Niang had already tested Vandenbussche, while Wilson Oruma was guilty of missing the target soon after as the French side took the initiative. Taiwo was just off-target with an ambitious header and Sergio Koke failed to keep his effort down, but Vandenbussche was forced into action to smother José Delfim's effort.

Huntelaar loss
Heerenveen, who went into the game on the back of two goalless draws in their opening fixtures, then suffered the loss of top scorer Huntelaar as their plight worsened. But they could have taken a surprise lead when Georgios Samaras headed Uğur Yıldırım's corner over the bar under extreme pressure, although the home side soon restored order and Koke almost connected with a fizzing Taiwo cross on the stroke of half-time.

Samaras misses
The visitors began the second period brightly, with Henrico Drost firing wide from distance while only a lack of composure stopped Samaras from giving Heerenveen the lead soon after. But it was to prove a fleeting fightback by the Eredivisie outfit as Sabri Lamouchi, Taiwo and Samir Nasri all fired efforts on target but found Vandenbussche in superlative form. It almost paved the way for a shock win by Heerenveen when Samaras was set clear, but his shot was weak and Marseille went on to steal the points.