AS Saint-Étienne are up to third in Ligue 1 following a 2-0 victory against ES Troyes Aube Champagne.

St-Etienne started the day eighth in the French top flight but are now just a point adrift of leading duo Paris Saint-Germain FC and Olympique de Marseille. Renaud Cohade set them on their way to victory against Troyes with a goal just after half-time and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrapped up the points with two minutes remaining.

Level on points with St-Etienne are fourth-placed Valenciennes FC, who won 3-2 at SC Bastia with the help of two Foued Kadir goals. LOSC Lille are a further point adrift in sixth after a 1-0 victory against Stade Brestois 29.

Elsewhere, AJ Ajaccio triumphed 4-2 at Toulouse FC and Évian Thonon Gaillard FC beat Stade de Reims Champagne 2-1 to climb out of the relegation zone.