A second-half strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured all three points for Saint-Etienne as they overcame Toulouse 1-0 on Sunday evening.
The away side so nearly took the lead after eight minutes when Bakary Sako fired a spectacular effort from distance, but it drifted just wide of the post.
Sako again went close five minutes later with an equally optimistic effort, but Ali Ahamada was happy to let the effort move wide of his post.
The away side had another golden chance to take the lead when Sylvain Marchal found himself unmarked yards from goal, but Ahamada was on hand to make a smart save.
The home side started the second period the better and Etienne Capoue and Franck Tabanou both went close in quick succession just after the hour mark.
It was the away side who opened the scoring, however, after 71 minutes when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired a powerful effort into the top corner.
Toulouse pushed for the equaliser in the latter stages but to no avail, as Saint-Etienne held on to secure all three points.
Matt Law
