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Saint-Etienne arrested a run of two successive defeats in fine style on Saturday, beating Le Mans 3-0 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Les Verts dominated proceedings against a Le Mans side that seemingly got dizzy after going second in the Ligue 1 standings a fortnight ago. Le Mans have now taken just one point from their last three matches, dropping to seventh in the table, while Saint-Etienne go fourth with this win.
Elie Baup’s side monopolised possession in the first half an hour but Le Mans were well organised and subsequently the home side struggled to create any clear chances.
The first opening fell to Frédéric Piquionne on 30 minutes but the striker failed control David Hellebuyck’s cross. Le Mans goalkeeper Yohann Pelé then saved from Julien Sablé before the home side went ahead three minutes prior to half-time.
Loïc Perrin intercepted a pass some way outside the visitors’ box and let fly with a powerful drive that deceived Pelé and ended up in the back of the net.
Le Mans raided forward after the break and Jérémy Janot had to react sharply to keep out David Chiumiento’s strike, but Saint-Etienne doubled their lead on 56 minutes. Defender Vincent Hognon rose higher than anyone at the near post to head Sablé's corner into the Le Mans net.
As Les Verts sat on their lead, Le Mans threatened to come back with Frédéric Thomas trying his luck, only to be denied by Janot on 77 minutes.
Seconds later, Le Mans’ hopes of launching an unlikely comeback were extinguished when Piquionne picked out Hellebuyck unmarked at the far post and the midfielder duly slotted home right-footed.
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