Yovov sends Levski through

PFC Levski Sofia joined Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Cup knockout stages after Hristo Yovov's second-half strike settled their Group F game against the French side.

Yovov delight
The 28-year-old forward struck ten minutes into the second half to clinch a win that doubled the Bulgarian Premier League side's UEFA Cup points haul and moved them joint top of the pool, along with Marseille, who lead only by number of away goals scored.

Early warning
Having already secured qualification before the start of play, Marseille, fielding a number of fringe players, attacked from the outset with Andrés Mendoza's header providing an early test for Levski custodian Georgi Petkov.

Barthez tested
However, the home side soon carved out some dangerous attacks of their own, as Yovov saw his goalbound effort blocked out by defender André Luis, before Valeri Domovchiyski headed wide from close-range. Levski continued to press and Richard Eromoigbe's curling 20-metre effort drew a magnificent save from Fabien Barthez, who tipped the ball round the post.

Giménez scare
But as the first half progressed Marseille frustrated Levski with some good possession play and Christian Giménez almost edged the French side in front when his ferocious effort went wide four minutes before the break.

Decisive strike
Stanimir Stoilov's men emerged brighter after the break and Yovov might have given his side the lead had his snapshot from 12 metres been more accurate. He made no such mistake when a similar chance came his way in the penalty area moments later, slotting a right-footed shot past Barthez and into the top corner to put Levski ahead.

Levski prevail
Stoilov sent on Emil and Stanislav Angelov in place of Yovov and Domovchiyski as he looked to freshen up his line-up ahead of the closing stages. Emil Angelov's first act was to sting Barthez's palms with a rasping shot, but a second goal was unnecessary in the end, as Sofia held on to take the points.