Saint-Etienne moved up to third in Ligue 1 after a 2-0 win against Nantes at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard this afternoon.
The home side went into the lead with 26 minutes gone in the first half as Florentin Pogba set up 19-year-old striker Jonathan Bamba for his first senior goal.
Robert Beric then came close to doubling the lead for The Greens from close range but had his shot blocked, and then watched as another attempt flew wide of the post shortly after.
Bamba, Vincent Pajot and Romain Hamouma all had half-chances as Saint-Etienne dominated, and after a shot from Nantes midfielder Birama Toure blazed over from range, it finished 1-0 at half time.
Saint-Etienne went 2-0 ahead two minutes into the second half when Beric fired into the back of the net following a Pajot corner.
Alejandro Bedoya and Valentin Rongier had chances to get Nantes back into the game, but both missed their target.
Valentin Eysseric forced Canaries keeper Remy Riou into a save late on, and while Ermir Lenjani looked to give the visitors late hope, Stephane Ruffier was on hand to save and secure Saint-Etienne's 2-0 advantage.
Miles Jolliffe
