Olympique Marseille romp past Saint Etienne, Caen go third

Goals from Michy Batshuayi and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou were enough for the visitors, who eased away from the relegation zone as a result.

Both sides had chances to score in the opening phase of the game, but it was the alertness of Batshuayi that proved the difference as Marseille broke the deadlock shortly before the break. The Belgium international reacted brilliantly when Nkoudou's awful shot ran perfectly into his path, slotting home past the wrong-footed Stephane Ruffier.

Batshuayi then turned provider as Marseille wrapped up the points, as he slotted across to Nkoudou for the midfielder to this time bury his shot into the bottom corner.

Saint-Etienne had their chances throughout and were perhaps unlucky not to get anything from the game - with Romain Hamouma hitting the post from a free-kick in the closing stages.

Elsewhere, Rennes and Bordeaux shared the spoils after an exciting 2-2 draw at Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring for the hosts, only for Enzo Crivelli to peg them back shortly before half-time. Kevin Grosicki then thought he had sealed the points for Rennes when he found the net with just 15 minutes remaining, only for Diego Contento to beat Benoit Costil three minutes later to round off the scoring.

It was a different story for Ajaccio, who came from behind to seal an impressive away win against a subdued Bastia.

Experienced striker Brandao got the hosts off to the perfect start after just five minutes, only for Jacques Zoua to cancel out his strike just 15 minutes later.

Khalid Boutaib then found the net with 20 minutes remaining to decide the contest.

In the day’s other game, Caen drew 0-0 with Angers.