Cisse grabs hat-trick for Marseille

PARIS, France -- Djibril Cisse scored a hat-trick as Marseille demolished Caen 6-1 and their inconsistent season took a turn for the better.

Marseille had only managed seven wins from 22 games in a far from impressive campaign but they can start to think of earning a UEFA Cup slot after moving up to eighth in the table.

Cisse, 27 in August, scored 13 league goals in an injury-hit two seasons at Liverpool and has been unable to command a regular first-team position at Marseille side.

Earlier this month, club president Pape Diouf declined to sell Cisse to English Premier League club Manchester City and his faith in the striker was justified against Caen.

Caen went in front in the opening two minutes through Julien Toudic, but they were not in command for long.

Cisse scored his first after 28 minutes from close range after a pass from Argentine Juan Angel Krupoviesa.

Mathieu Valbuena netted twice inside the final five minutes of the opening period, with a fierce drive and a neat chip.

Samir Nasri, whose late goal bagged a point at Nancy in midweek, set up Cisse's second after 56 minutes and the striker completed his hat-trick two minutes later.

Ten minutes from time, Nasri raced through for the sixth.

Paris Saint Germain, struggling in midtable, were held 0-0 at Lille and have 29 points from 23 games.

Yohan Cabaye's neat volley for Lille hit a post shortly before the break with keeper Mickael Landreau beaten.

Third-placed Nice extended their unbeaten run to 13 with a 1-1 draw at strugglers Toulouse while fifth-placed Monaco slumped 1-0 at Le Mans, now just a point behind the principality side. E-mail to a friend