Suddenly, the Stéphanois leave the red lantern in Metz which they are ahead of by one point (9 against 8) while Clermont concedes for the first time his third consecutive defeat in L1 and remains in 15th place (13 pts).

Clermont coach Pascal Gastien, after the defeat (3-2) against Saint-Etienne, while the Clermontois led 2-0, during the match of the 13th day of Ligue 1, played behind closed doors, on November 7 2021 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard PHILIPPE DESMAZES AFP

Sow, who had already equalized against Angers (2-2) on October 22, headed a corner played from the right by Arnaud Nordin to score the third goal (90 + 4) two minutes after the equalizer obtained by Jean -Philippe Krasso, also on a corner played from the right (90 + 2), still by Nordin whose entry in the 67th minute was decisive.

The joy of the Stéphanois striker Jean-Philippe Krasso, after having equalized (2-2) against Clermont, during the match of the 13th day of Ligue 1, played behind closed doors, on November 7, 2021 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard PHILIPPE DESMAZES AFP

For ASSE, once again in reaction to a stadium sanctioned behind closed doors, Nordin had previously reduced the mark after a center from the right from Mahdi Camara and an unfortunate discount from Jonathan Iglésias (78th) after having found the bar transverse following a good job from Wahbi Khazri (73rd).

Clermont had however taken the advantage by Mohamed Bayo, again holder.

The Guinean had beaten Sow at the near post after a cross delivered from the left wing by Nsimba (59th) for his seventh goal of the season.

The joy of the Clermont striker Mohamed Bayo (l), after opening the scoring against Saint-Etienne, during the match of the 13th day of Ligue 1, played behind closed doors, on November 7, 2021 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard PHILIPPE DESMAZES AFP

Jason Berthomier then increased the score to 2-0 by also taking a center from the left addressed by Jim Allevina with a ball skillfully left by Bayo (64th).

Will this victory be likely to appease the anger of the supporters?

Not sure.

Before and at the start of the meeting, they were a thousand to demonstrate with songs, firecrackers, smoke and banners in front of the stadium where large police forces had been deployed.

They again demanded the departures of Claude Puel, whose position remains uncomfortable despite everything, and of the two shareholders, Bernard Caïazzo and Roland Romeyer.

The process of selling the club could accelerate by the end of the year with an entry into exclusive negotiations with a prospective buyer in the coming hours.

© 2021 AFP