Winger Andre Ayew netted twice in a 3-0 success - only their second in six Ligue 1 games - which lifts Didier Deschamps' men up to seventh in the table.

Bruno Cheyrou opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and Ayew's double (37 and 54) condemned newly-promoted Arles to a sixth defeat in six games, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.

Dimitri Payet netted twice as St Etienne maintained their impressive start to the season with a 3-0 defeat of Montpellier - a result which takes them to the top of the table.

Payet opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and rounded off the victory just past the hour mark, sandwiching a 31st-minute effort from Emmanuel Rivire.

Youssef El Arabi's goal gave Caen victory at Lorient, a result that moves them up to fourth - one place ahead of Sochaux, 4-0 conquerors of Nice.

Brown Ideye opened the scoring for Sochaux just before half-time and second half goals from Ryad Boudebouz, Marvin Martin and Modibo Maiga enabled the Montbeliard side to take over as the league's top scorers.

Lens picked up a welcome point with an 89th-minute equaliser at Valenciennes. Mamadou Samassa gave the hosts a 55th-minute lead but Abdoulrazak Boukari levelled the scores with a deflected shot.

Two goals in the last 20 minutes gave newly-promoted Brest a 2-0 win at Nancy. Thomas Micola opened the scoring after sloppy play from the home side's Andre Luiz, then set up Larsen Toure for the second goal in the closing stages.

Monaco and previous leaders Toulouse failed to produce a goal at the Stade Louis II in the French top flight's other clash.