Aubameyang treble inspires St Etienne
A first hat-trick in professional football by in-form Gabonese international striker Pierre-Eyemrick Aubameyang inspired St Etienne to a 4-2 victory over Ligue 1 rivals Lorient on Wednesday.
The treble from the 22-year-old - joint leading scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations - and an own goal by Bruno Ecuele-Manga saw them to their third successive victory and bang in contention for a place in next season's Champions League.
Aubameyang - a former France Under-21 international but who failed to make the grade at either AC Milan, Dijon or Lille - was overwhelmed by his personal landmark which also saw him go joint third in the scorer charts with 10.
"It is my first hat-trick in professional football," said the marksman with the Mohican-style haircut.
"I will not forget the ball (he had it under his arm). It is even more magnificent because it comes with a win. This is a dream moment.
"At the beginning of the season I thought it would be difficult to score 10 goals but I still began the season in a confident frame of mind.
"A goal with my right, a goal with my left and one with my head, is good, special even.
"My family have criticised me because I don't score enough with my head," added Aubameyang, whose father captained the 1994 Gabonese team at the Africa Cup of Nations as well as appearing at the 1996 edition.
The three points took them into fourth spot three points behind champions Lille, who scraped a fortunate 1-0 win away at luckless bottom side Sochaux.
Winter transfer window signing Nolan Roux broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a fine header for his fifth goal since his arrival from Brest.
Lille are six points adrift of leaders Paris Saint Germain.
Former champions Auxerre's relegation worries deepened as they went down 2-1 away at Caen to leave them third bottom.