AS Saint-Étienne chained a third consecutive victory in Ligue 2 on Monday in Grenoble (2-0), which allowed them to climb to the top of the standings for the first time this season.
Undefeated for ten games (seven wins, three draws), the Greens continued their comeback from the depths of the second division – partly due to a three-point penalty inflicted before the championship even started – until ninth place. The Stéphanois also combine points and style, as they scored two magnificent goals at the Stade des Alpes.
First by the side Niels Nkounkou, author of a ride full of speed and finesse from the left side, with a dribble of the sole to pass between two defenders before deceiving the goalkeeper with a powerful shot from the left foot ( 46th).
Then by their No. 1 offensive asset: the essential Jean-Philippe Krasso, top scorer (sixteen) and passer (eight) for ASSE. After intercepting an unsteady pass from Adrien-Mehdi Monfray, the 25-year-old Franco-Ivorian delicately pricked the ball thirty meters from goal to lob Brice Maubleu (80′).
In the meantime, Gautier Larsonneur had managed to preserve the short advantage of his team by leaving his cages very quickly to prevent Grenoble winger Jordan Tell, who had gone deep, from equalizing (55th). After two victories against Amiens (2-1) then Laval (1-0), Grenoble suffered a setback. This defeat undoubtedly condemns the hopes of accession to the elite of the GF38, a team among the best ranked in Ligue 2 (seventh) to culpable irregularity.
