Last-place Saint-Etienne gets a boost with 1-0 win at Angers

Wed, Jan 26, 2022
Soccer News (AP)

PARIS (AP) - Saint-Etienne won 1-0 at Angers on Wednesday for a badly needed victory but stayed in last place in the French league.

Les Verts have won a record 10 French titles - one more than current league leader Paris Saint-Germain and 1993 Champions League winner Marseille - but this was only their third win of the season.

It came courtesy of an own goal from defender Batista Mendy.

After 22 of 38 rounds, Saint-Etienne is two points behind 19th-place Lorient and five points away from safety. The bottom two are relegated while the side finishing 18th enters a promotion-relegation playoff with the team placing third in the second division.

Angers defender Ismael Traore had a header saved following a corner after two minutes as the home side started well.

But Saint-Etienne took the lead shortly before the break when midfielder Yvann Macon's cross was turned into his own net by Mendy.

Midfielder Arnaud Nordin went clean through for Saint-Etienne midway through the second half but Montenegro goalkeeper Danijel Petkovic thwarted him.

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