Montpellier vs. Saint-Étienne

Starting with the intent to extend their good Ligue 1 run, MHSC created the vast majority of the best first half chances against a slow a lackluster Sainte. Sylvain Monsoreau, who was making a surprise start in the rearguard of the visiting side, nearly put through his own net just a minute before Victor Hugo Montano blasted a shot just past the post.

The pressure greatly increased in the last ten minutes before the half-time interval.

Karim Ait Fana nearly picked out Montano with a cross that proved just too hard, while Alberto Costa then played in the France Under-21 player, who was denied by Jeremie Janot.

The visiting goalkeeper would again be sharp to block a Montano shot a minute before half-time, but Sainte suffered a big blow on the stroke of the interval, when Yoann Andrea, a substitute for the injured Mahamadou Dabo, was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Given this evidence it was little surprise that Montpellier quickly moved to take a decisive advantage after the break. Karim Ait Fana sent a neat right-footed finish past Janot just eight minutes into the second half, and the visiting goalkeeper had to look lively soon afterwards to deny Montano.

Only two minutes later it was 2-0, though. Montano was again heavily involved, this time setting up Souleymane Camara to score on the counterattack.

In between the two MHSC goals, Sainte had a Yohan Benalouane header cleared off the line, but they would grab something tangible with 19 minutes remaining, Gonzalo Bergessio scoring from the spot.

Focused by this strike, Montpellier held out, despite a couple of anxious moments in front of their goal.