Ligue 1: Lille Rout 10-Man Saint-Etienne 4-1 to Jump Back into Top Four

LOSC Lille capitalized on Dylan Batubinsika's red card to thrash 10-man AS Saint-Etienne 4-1, jumping back into Ligue 1's top four and deepening Saint-Etienne's relegation concerns.

AS Saint-Etienne's dismal away form in Ligue 1 continued as they extended their winless streak to 18 consecutive matches, succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against LOSC Lille. The visitors made a dream start, with Zuriko Davitashvili calmly converting a penalty kick in the sixth minute after being clumsily fouled by Remy Cabella in the box.

Initially, Lille seemed shell-shocked by the early concession and struggled to find their rhythm despite dominating possession. The hosts' sluggishness in the final third meant they were unable to create meaningful scoring opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne's failure to capitalize on their advantage proved costly, as they missed a glorious chance to double their lead just before the half-hour mark.

Lucas Stassin's pinpoint cross found Louis Mouton in a promising position, but the midfielder squandered the opportunity, blasting a half-volley high and wide with the goal at his mercy. This moment proved pivotal, as Lille seized the initiative and launched a swift counterattack. Jonathan David was subsequently dragged down in the area, and after a lengthy delay, VAR intervened, prompting the referee to award a penalty. David then cheekily chipped the spot kick down the middle, leveling the score and setting the stage for Lille's dominant second-half performance.

Although Lille were unable to find a second goal before the interval, they made a swift and decisive impact at the start of the second half. Hakon Arnar Haraldsson's delightful touch seemed to set him up for a clear scoring opportunity, but he was brought down by Dylan Batubinsika, who received a straight red card for the foul. This pivotal moment left Saint-Etienne with a mountain to climb, as Lille seized the initiative with renewed vigor.

Trois jours après leur récital en Champions League, les Lillois confirment en Ligue 1 avec un nouveau score fleuve, face à Saint-Etienne (4-1) 👏

Pourtant menés au score d’entrée, les Dogues ont su renverser la vapeur grâce à 4 buts signés David, Sahraoui x2 et Gudmundsson.

— LOSC (@losclive) February 1, 2025

The home side's dominance was almost disrupted by Zuriko Davitashvili, who found himself through on goal. However, he opted for power over precision, and Lucas Chevalier stood firm to make the save. This missed opportunity proved costly for Saint-Etienne, as Lille capitalized on their profligacy in front of goal. Minutes later, Jonathan David broke free and selflessly squared the ball for Osame Sahraoui to tap home, giving Lille a 2-1 lead.

Sahraoui is IN FORM! 🇲🇦✨ pic.twitter.com/UIp0cj8Yax

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 1, 2025

The match threatened to spiral out of control for Saint-Etienne in the final 20 minutes, as Lille's onslaught continued. Gabriel Gudmundsson smashed a shot in off the bar, and Sahraoui added a fourth goal with a delightful finish. The resounding 4-1 victory propelled Lille back into the top four, just two points behind second place. In contrast, Saint-Etienne's struggles persisted, leaving them just one place and one point above the relegation zone with only one win in eight league games.

Saint-Etienne's precarious position underscores the need for an immediate turnaround in form. Their next fixture, a crucial encounter against relegation rivals Rennes, presents an opportunity to revive their season. A win against Rennes would provide a much-needed boost, helping Les Verts to climb the table and alleviate their relegation concerns.