PSG dominate Saint Étienne in five-goal Arkema Première League thriller

This weekend, Paris Saint-Germain travelled to Saint Étienne with the hope of securing three points in the Arkema Première League.

Whilst PSG sit in second place, only three points below rivals, OL Lyonnes, les Verts are in eleventh place, with only one win and one draw on the board from their opening eight fixtures.

This was a must-win fixture for les Parisiennes against a team struggling to get off the mark this season. However, with a strong home crowd at Stade Salif-Keita, Laurent Mortal’s Saint Étienne went in ready to challenge the opposition for the victory.

Starting XIs

Saint Étienne: Pinguet, Mansuy, Gajić, Johnson, Pierre-Louis, Tapia, Bataillard, Cambot, Hermann, Lamontagne, Homemann. 

PSG: Earps, Isabela, Mbock, Samoura, Gaetino, Carmona, Groenen, Yaya, Karchaoui, Echegini, Leuchter.

First Half  

In the opening minutes of the game, the hosts looked ready to take an early lead as Alexandria Lamontagne came one on one with the keeper. However, Mary Earps took a blow to the face in stopping les Verts’ striker from putting them ahead early in the first half.

However, Saint Étienne’s positive start was soon dampened by a wonderful strike from Captain, Sakina Karchaoui to put PSG ahead only five minutes into the match. A fast-paced run down the right flank saw her net a clinical finish, immediately making her mark on the game. Thiniba Samoura picked out a precise pass from her own half, assisting this goal.

Despite les Parisiennes going ahead, the home side pushed on. Spurred on by over one thousand supporters from the stands, les Verts continued to threaten in the opposing half, forcing Earps into several saves. Saint Étienne came close with an in-swinging corner, but this was tipped over the bar by PSG’s number twenty-seven.

A penalty shout came from the hosts, with Spanish international, Olga Carmona sliding in from behind on Lamontagne’s run towards goal. However, the referee dismissed calls and continued the run of play. 

Although both sides sit at opposite ends of the league table, it was difficult to separate the sides throughout the first half. However, a spot kick was awarded to PSG after a risky challenge on Carmona in the box moments before half time. Romée Leuchter stepped up when it mattered to put the away side two ahead going into the break. 

Having tested the opposition well in the opening forty-five minutes, Lamontage received a red card just moments before the half-time whistle. This put the hosts at a clear disadvantage as they walked down the tunnel to regroup.

 Second Half

Heading into the second half, PSG seemed confident: with an extra player on the pitch, and a two-goal lead they looked calm and collected yet hungry for more. Saint Étienne, on the other hand, were not going to give up without a fight, pushed on by a strong home crowd. 

Les Verts found a way back into the match in the 58th minute, awarded a penalty for a handball in the box by Elisa De Almeida. The French defender was substituted on at half time for Griedge Mbock. Forward, Laura Hermann converted the spot kick with power, which stopped Earps’ gloves having enough power to push it wide.

The hosts searched for an equaliser, with substitutions to bolster the midfield, but les Parisiennes dominated possession and attacking motions of play. Leuchter almost added a second to her tally, as an effort outside the box struck the crossbar.

After a period of intense battles within the midfield, Paulo César’s PSG found the net once again. A diving header from Isabela restored the visitors two goal advantage, assisted by Merveille Kanjinga with a precise, looping cross across goal.

Although les Verts looked frustrated with the scoreline, especially following some contested decisions by the referee, they continued to threaten Paris’ defence. Eva Gaetino and De Almeida were forced into some last-ditch tackles to keep les Parisiennes comfortably ahead.

Moments before the final whistle, Joe Echegini slotted the ball past Alice Piguet to make the final score 4-1 to the visitors. Mortal’s Saint Étienne showed great promise, considering their low position in the league; however, César’s PSG reminded why they are fighting for the title of French Champions.

Final score: Saint Étienne 1-4 Paris Saint-German

‘5 Karchaoui

’45 Leuchter (pen)

’58 Laura Hermann (pen)

‘80 Isabela

‘90+5 Echegini

Looking ahead

With international break upon us, both teams will look to regroup and build upon positive performances so far this season.

The next league fixtures come on Friday 5th December for both teams. Paris will travel to Marseille, looking to secure another vital three points in their title race with OL Lyonnes. Saint Étienne travel to Lens in a must-win fixture to threaten the order of the table.