Saint-Etienne have moved into third place in the Ligue 1 table after a 3-0 victory against Reims.

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Both sides created chances during the opening stages of the game, with Benoit Assou-Ekotto sending a shot wide for the hosts before Antoine Devaux saw an effort comfortably saved by Stephane Ruffier.

On the half-hour mark, Nolan Roux headed wide for Saint-Etienne, while Frederic Bulot had a left-footed strike kept out by Ruffier.

Just before the break, Kevin Monnet-Paquet had a 20-yard strike saved by Reims stopper Johnny Placide, but 18 minutes into the second half, he could do nothing to stop Saint-Etienne taking the lead.

Francois Clerc provided the assist for Robert Beric to score from close range, and within five minutes, it was two as Prince Oniangue put through his own net.

Saint-Etienne scored their third with seven minutes remaining as Valentin Eysseric latched on to a pass from Roux before confidently finding the back of the net to cap off the victory.