Gameiro shoots down Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne missed out on the chance to draw level with Brest at the top of the French first division after losing 2-1 at home to Lorient on Saturday.

Les Verts, who have now gone five league games without a win, sank to their first home defeat of the campaign thanks to a sharply taken brace from recently capped France international striker Kevin Gameiro.

The hosts began strongly, with Gonzalo Bergessio seeing a goal ruled out for offside, before Gameiro cut in from the right and fired between the legs of Jeremie Janot to break the deadlock in the 22nd minute.

Christophe Galtier introduced Bakary Sako at half-time for Saint-Etienne and the substitute made a speedy impact, cantering onto a ball over the top and shooting crisply into the bottom-left corner to level the scores.

Gameiro had the final word, however, meeting Morgan Amalfitano’s cross with a firm header in the 82nd minute to send the Brittany side up to seventh and prolong Saint-Etienne’s mini-slump.

“People laughed when we were talking about staying up but we could find ourselves in danger very quickly,” said Saint-Etienne coach Galtier.

“In the attitude and the mental weakness we saw tonight, there’s reason to be worried.”

Moussa Maazou claimed his first Bordeaux goal with an 86th-minute strike that earned Les Girondins a 1-1 draw at home to Valenciennes, who had held the lead since the 18th minute after David Ducourtioux’s opener.

Bottom club Arles-Avignon claimed their first victory of the season, at the 12th attempt, with a 3-2 win at home to fellow promoted side Caen.

“It’s good for morale and I dedicate this victory to everyone who works for the club and the supporters,” said Arles coach Faruk Hadzibegic, whose team are now eight points from safety.

Auxerre, 2-1 victors at home to Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday, were held to a 1-1 draw at Sochaux.

Rennes host Lyon in Saturday’s late game and Frederic Antonetti’s side will take over from Brest at the summit if they win.

Brest visit Lille on Sunday, when champions Marseille travel to arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain for the first ‘clasico’ of the season.