Chamakh inspires Bordeaux comeback

FC Girondins de Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh scored one and created another as the French side came from behind to beat Galatasaray AS 2-1 at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Powerful header
The Moroccan international helped the hosts get their UEFA Cup Group H campaign off to a winning start by first picking out strike-partner Fernando Cavenaghi to cancel out Shabani Nonda's first-half penalty. Chamakh, 23, then got on the scoresheet himself with a powerful header.

Quiet opening
The early stages were largely uneventful, a long-range Chamakh strike the closest either side came to scoring. Galatasaray broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after Nonda was brought down in the penalty area. The DR Congo international, who previously enjoyed seven seasons playing in France, stepped up and slotted the spot-kick past Ulrich Ramé. Nonda came close to doubling his side's advantage four minutes before the break but could only direct his shot from close range.

Cavenaghi leveller
Bordeaux began the second half with more purpose and equalised in the 53rd minute after good work by Chamakh. His cross picked out Cavenaghi on the edge of the area and the Argentinian striker struck the ball into the bottom-left corner. The Ligue 1 side completed the turnaround eleven minutes later with a bullet header from the influential Chamakh. Full-back Florian Marange delivered a dangerous cross which was met by the head of Chamakh, directing the ball past goalkeeper Orkun Uşak and into the top corner.

Smart save
Johan Micoud almost made it 3-1 in the 70th minute when his drive forced Uşak to make a smart save, while the lively Nonda remained a constant threat for the visitors and was unlucky to see his shot fly over the bar four minutes later. Nonetheless, Bordeaux held on for the win.