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. "This 120 years will remain engraved in memories and in mine because matches with such scores do not happen often, if ever," said Nice coach Franck Haise.