ASSE : Les Verts prêts à tenter le coup Lees-Melou foot01.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from foot01.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Saint-Etienne seemed to be awoken by the goal and made a spirited effort to try and level proceedings that came in the 19th minute.
The Saints were awarded a penalty when Mehdi Zerkane brought down Khazri in the area and the Tunisia international stepped out to dispatch home his spot-kick.
Khazri then gave his side the lead four minutes later when he connected with Adil Aouchiche s cross before firing into the back of the net.
The attacker completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, converting from the penalty spot after Jimmy Briand was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
Claude Puel’s men hit the ground running in the encounter when Khazri opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after receiving a timely assist from Charles Abi.
Bouanga then doubled the lead in the 66th minute, firing in his effort from outside the box after he was set up Mahdi Camara.
Romain Hamouma found the back of the net for Saint-Etienne three minutes later but Video Assistant Referee ruled out the strike for offside.
Nimes had a glorious chance to reduce their deficit from the penalty spot with three minutes left to full-time but Renaud Ripart failed to beat goalkeeper Etienne Green.
Khazri and Bouanga score to inspire Saint-Etienne to victory against Nimes goal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from goal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Khazri and Bouanga score to inspire Saint-Etienne to victory against Nimes goal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from goal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.