Masterful Marseille end trophy wait

Olympique de Marseille celebrated their first major piece of silverware in 17 years after beating holders FC Girondins de Bordeaux 3-1 in the French League Cup final at the Stade de France.

Unacquainted with top-level success since they claimed the inaugural edition of the UEFA Champions League in 1992/93, Marseille began positively in the capital, with both Hatem Ben Arfa and Brandão drawing good saves from Ulrich Ramé in the first half. Didier Deschamps's side lost Mamadou Niang to injury shortly after the interval but his charges nonetheless went ahead on the hour, when former Bordeaux defender Souleymane Diawara headed in a Lucho González corner.

Steve Mandanda had to save from Yoann Gourcuff at the other end moments later. But OM were quick to double their lead, substitute Mathieu Valbuena – another player with Bordeaux links – blasting in from Ben Arfa's cutback.

The result was put beyond doubt ten minutes later when full-back Matthieu Chalmé diverted a Valbuena free-kick into his own goal, although there was still time for Ludovic Sané to nod in a consolation from a Wendel set piece. Marseille are ensured a UEFA Europa League place for next season unless they made the UEFA Champions League.

In Saturday's only Ligue 1 match, Bordeaux's Tuesday UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg hosts Olympique Lyonnais hauled themselves up to fourth by defeating bottom side Grenoble Foot 38 2-0. Without a win in their three previous league outings, Claude Puel's men moved to within two points of the summit, though Bordeaux have two games in hand.

Michel Bastos got the ball rolling three minutes after the break and César Delgado made sure of the result in the final minute, after the visitors had lost Boštjan Cesar to a red card.