Picked cold by Maxime Barthelmé (6th), the Caennais turned the tide in less than two minutes in this duel of contenders for the rise in Ligue 1.

Emmanuel Ntim first put the two teams tied by a bicycle (18th).

Alexandre Mendy, author of 16 goals in L2 last season, doubled the mark a minute later (19th) after a defensive error by Félix Eboa Eboa.

Samuel Essende (52nd) and Benjamin Jeannot (76th sp) completed the mark in the second period.

What offer a third success in 4 matches in Caen and a place of provisional leader.

The shipwreck of Saint-Etienne

Earlier Saturday, Saint-Etienne received three red cards and took a slap at home against Le Havre (6-0).

The Stéphanois remain last in the standings with -1 point, the result of a penalty received at the end of last season.

Anthony Briançon (31st) and Mathieu Cafaro (37th) were sent off in the first half, before being joined by ASSE goalkeeper Etienne Green (66th) in the last half hour.

At height until half-time, the Greens then exploded, conceding 6 goals in less than 40 minutes.

They still haven't won since the start of the season.

"I've never experienced that (...) I find that there is not enough commitment," said Stéphane coach Laurent Batlles at the microphone of beIN Sports after the meeting.

Metz is disillusioned, Paris FC tramples

Caught at the last minute by Laval (3-3) after leading the whole match, the Messins, candidates for the rise in L1, missed the opportunity to climb on the podium.

They will have to do without Alexandre Oukidja and Fabien Centonze, excluded, during the next day.

Paris FC, another contender for the elite, lost at Niort (2-1) and won only once in L2 this season.

In the other matches of the evening, Sochaux was a hit in Pau (3-0), Dijon beat Nîmes (2-1) and Amiens won against Bastia (3-1).

Promoted Annecy got their first point at Rodez (2-2), Valenciennes and Quevilly parted ways in a draw (0-0).

The 3rd day of Ligue 2 will end Monday evening (8:45 p.m.) with Bordeaux, expected on the lawn of FC Grenoble.

The Girondins will have the opportunity to take the lead in the Championship on goal difference.

© 2022 AFP