The Stéphanois, winners of Metz (1-0) before going for a point at Lille (0-0), remain 18th tied with Lorient (27 pts, 17th) but outstripped on goal difference by the Hakes.

Fifteenth with two lengths better than the Greens and tied with Angers (14th), also ahead on goal difference, pending the matches on Saturday and Sunday, the Trojans (29 pts) remain on four matches without defeat.

They had obtained a draw against Marseille (1-1) before beating Nantes (1-0) and Bordeaux (2-0).

Very dynamic from the start, ESTAC opened the scoring in the first half by Lebo Mothiba who took over a cross delivered from the left wing by Abdu Conté (18) a few seconds after Paul Bernadoni repelled an attempt by Iké Ugbo (18).

ASSE equalized after half-time by Ryad Boudebouz who converted a penalty awarded for a foul by Erik Palmer-Brown on Mahdi Camara (66).

But the Stéphanois may regret not having won given their almost constant domination, especially in the second half.

They were, however, no more impactful than the Trojans.

They were hampered by the pressure exerted in the midfield by the Champenois who prevented them from developing their offensive animation by cutting the passing lines very well.

Saint-Etienne still got chances to open the scoring with a fine outing from Gauthier Gallon who beat Denis Bouanga on a cross from Boudebouz (12).

The Foréziens could then have equalized on an attempt by Boudebouz, again, repelled by the Trojan goalkeeper (42), who also intervened on a free kick from Wahbi Khazri after which Camara's recovery was diverted in front of the line by Palmer-Brown (45+5).

Saint-Etienne striker Denis Bouanga stumbles on the Trojan Yoann Salmier at Geoffroy-Guichard, March 18, 2022 JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK AFP

The Trojans could have added a second goal by Mothiba in front of which Mickaël Nadé came to save his team (25) while Yoann Salmier narrowly missed taking a free kick played from the right wing by Xavier Chavalarin (31).

Subsequently, Bruno Irles' team was no longer really dangerous and suffered above all against the Greens, managing to preserve their result at the end.

© 2022 AFP