20.09.2024 23:09 h

Nice hand 'ashamed' Saint-Etienne 8-0 mauling

Nice handed out an 8-0 mauling to Saint-Etienne in France's Ligue 1 on Friday after racing six goals clear in the first half.

Nice's 20-year-old striker Mohamed-Ali Cho was the chief tormentor, ripping Saint-Etienne's left flank to pieces, scoring the third goal and providing assists in three others.

"We were overrun, 6-0 at half-time, it's just dreadful," said Saint-Etienne defender Dennis Appiah.

Defender Leo Petrot added: "We are ashamed, there are no words to describe this".

A Dylan Batubinsika own-goal was followed by strikes from Tanguy Ndombele, Cho, two from Youssoufa Moukoko, Evann Guessand, Sofiane Diop and a late penalty from new signing Pablo Rosario as Nice celebrated their 120th anniversary in style.

Saint Etienne had conceded seven goals in three defeats since coming up into Ligue 1 via the play-offs, but beat Lille 1-0 last weekend.

League leaders Paris Saint-Germain travel to Reims on Saturday chasing a fifth win from five and are unbeaten in 26 consecutive away games in the league.

Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille, second in the table, two points behind PSG< will aim to extend their almost perfect start to the season when they visit struggling rivals Lyon on Sunday.