Auxerre too strong for Partizan

AJ Auxerre revived their Group A campaign with an emphatic victory over FK Partizan in Belgrade, coming from behind to win 4-1 thanks to goals from Benoît Cheyrou, Daniel Niculae, Kanga Akalé and Luigi Pieroni.

Advantage Partizan
Both teams started the evening with one point from two UEFA Cup group-stage matches, and it was the Serbian side who initially held the upper hand as Nebojša Marinković put the hosts ahead in the fifth minute. After being fouled by Frédéric Thomas, the 20-year-old forward picked himself up to fire a free-kick past Fabien Cool in the Auxerre goal. However, Partizan's early dominance was cancelled out by Cheyrou's 18th-minute breakaway goal struck from outside the penalty area.

Change of momentum
The tide was turning, and within six minutes the French visitors were in front as Niculae turned in the rebound after home keeper Safet Jahić had saved from Ireneusz Jeleń. Two became three for Auxerre nine minutes before the interval when Kanga Akalé, who had already rattled the bar, turned in a Jeleń cross. Benoît Pedretti and Jeleń also threatened before the away team finally scored their fourth with eight minutes of the second half remaining – substitute Pieroni converting Jean-Sébastien Jaurès's centre to seal the win.

Qualifying hopes
Partizan slip to the bottom of Group A yet remain mathematically in contention going into their final game at Rangers FC on 14 December. For Auxerre, a home draw against AS Livorno Calcio on the same day will be enough to keep them above the Italian side and in the third qualifying spot.