Ryad Boudebouz's double ended St Etienne's unbeaten record as Sochaux bounced back from their midweek Europa League exit with a 2-1 victory in Ligue 1.
French Ligue One side Sochaux were stunned 4-0 at home by Metalist Kharkiv on Thursday, but it was a different story at Stade Auguste Bonal today as Mehmed Bazdarevic's men picked up a second successive league win.
Boudebouz opened the scoring early on and although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled the scores 10 minutes before the break, the midfielder was on target again from the penalty spot to restore the home side's advantage.
Sochaux started brightly and only sharp goalkeeping by Stephane Ruffier denied them a second-minute opener as he dived at Sloan Privat's feet to close down the opening.
Four minutes later and the hosts were ahead when Boudebouz outwitted defender Sylvain Marchal and beat Ruffier with a low shot.
In the 23rd minute Modibo Maiga, Boudebouz and Yacine Mikari combined neatly for the latter to shoot at the far post - but the effort was too weak and was blocked by Ruffier.
Aubameyang levelled for the visitors with a measured volley into the top corner of the net - but they could not maintain parity until half-time.
Fabien Lemoine fouled Sebastien Corchia and Boudebouz neatly sent Ruffier the wrong way to make it 2-1 to Sochaux in the 41st minute.
The home side maintained the momentum after the interval and after Ruffier had made an excellent save to keep out a Marvin Martin free-kick which had deflected off Kevin Anin for a deflection on target, St Etienne were reduced to 10 men when Paulao was dismissed in the 66th minute for bringing down Maiga from behind.
The influential Maiga showed great skills to free Martin for a powerful 72nd-minute shot that Ruffier punched clear.
St Etienne did have the ball in the net four minutes from time - but Idriss Saadi's volley was ruled out for a handball.
