Five wins, then an abrupt halt
Saint-Etienne arrived in Dunkerque with a perfect record. Five games, five wins, including a convincing 3-1 over Montpellier last week. No one in Ligue 2 had even taken a point off Ian Cathro’s side. On Saturday night, Dunkerque did exactly that.
And yet the opening stages gave no hint of what was coming. Set up by Zuriko Davitashvili, Lucas Boakye finished off a neat move to put them ahead before the break. The Greens went in front at half-time, right in line with everything they had produced since the season kicked off.
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Ayari and Keita turn it around
The second half changed everything. Khalil Ayari, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, levelled in the 52nd minute with a classy finish. Seven minutes after the restart, ASSE had already thrown away their lead. Keita then swung the night in Dunkerque’s favour by putting the hosts in front.
Ian Cathro threw on changes in search of a spark. It made no difference. Saint-Etienne’s attack, so sharp up to then, simply could not find another gear. Dunkerque, who had started the day with just five points, have claimed the scalp of the leaders on home turf.
Still top, but plenty to chew on
The table still looks kind to the Greens. Saint-Etienne remain alone at the top of the league, ahead of Reims after their win over Nancy the day before. But the cushion is shrinking, and ASSE have dropped their first three points of the campaign from a winning position.
That is often where promotion hopefuls are judged. Losing after going ahead, away from home on a tough ground, tells you more about a team than a comfy run of wins ever will. Saint-Etienne will soon find out whether this was just a one-off blip.
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