Sparta add to Toulouse misery

Toulouse FC's European woes continued as they lost 3-2 at home to AC Sparta Praha to make it six games without victory in continental competition this season.

Late winner
The French side were eliminated from UEFA Champions League qualifying by Liverpool FC and are without victory in four UEFA Cup ties - two of them defeats in Group E. Toulouse thought their luck had turned, however, when Johan Elmander gave them a 14th-minute lead but goals within a minute from Karol Kisel and Lisor Došek put the Czech visitors in front. Fodé Mansare levelled but Kisel's second made the game safe with two minutes remaining.

Cool finish
Elmander had already tested Sparta goalkeeper Tomáš Griger before he gave his side the lead by placing a shot in the corner from 20 metres following a Paulo César cross. Miroslav Matušovič drilled a free-kick wide as the visitors went in search of an equaliser while Mansare tested Griger again from a set-piece from outside the penalty area. Nicolas Douchez in the Toulouse goal was forced into action to block Jiří Kladrubský's curler before making a brilliant save to keep out Miroslav Slepička's powerful effort on 35 minutes.

Double blow
Elmander had a further chance to increase the lead after the interval when he latched on to Mansare's cross but he fired his effort wide while Griger did well to save César's volley from the edge of the box. Those misses proved costly as Sparta levelled after 67 minutes when Kisel scored from close range. Seconds later Kisel's cross was met by Došek who found the bottom corner from 12 metres. Mansare restored parity again from six metres (80) but there was one final twist when Kisel turned in the winner, reacting quickest after David Limberský had hit the bar.