Saint-Etienne concedes late goal in 1-1 draw vs. Bordeaux
PARIS (AP) Saint-Etienne's poor record against Bordeaux continued as it conceded a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 in the French league on Saturday.
Winger Romain Hamouma gave Saint-Etienne the lead in the 58th minute, only for Bordeaux forward Henri Saivet to score from a free kick.
The draw means Saint-Etienne has now won only three of its past 24 matches against Bordeaux.
''We started the second half well but then tiredness crept in,'' Hamouma said. ''That's the third direct free kick we've conceded from in two games. It's a real pity for the three points.''
Saint-Etienne forward Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, who recently joined from Paris Saint-Germain, had a penalty appeal waved away late in the first half and instead was booked for diving.
The home side improved in the second half and, after striker Nolan Roux went close with a back heel, Hamouma scored with a low shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Bordeaux pressed for an equalizer and Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier tipped away defener Cedric Yambere's header in the 78th.
But he was powerless when Saivet found a gap in the defensive wall and curled in a free kick.
Later Saturday, France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena was to make his Lyon debut away to Guingamp after he joined earlier this week from Dinamo Moscow.
Lyon, which finished behind Paris Saint-Germain last season, looks to bounce back from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Lorient in its opening match.
In Saturday's other matches, it is: Rennes vs. Montpellier; Troyes vs. Nice; Caen vs. Toulouse and newly-promoted Angers vs. Nantes.
On Sunday, PSG hosts promoted side Gazelec Ajaccio and troubled Marseille - looking for a new coach after Marcelo Bielsea's shock resignation moments after last weekend's opening game - travels to Reims.
Lorient faces Bastia in the other match.
Ambitious Monaco, which finished third last season, dropped points in a 0-0 draw at home to Lille on Friday night.