Ivory Coast winger Max-Alain Gradel scored his eighth goal in eight games as Saint-Etienne beat Montpellier 1-0 on Sunday to extend its unbeaten run to nine league games and move provisionally up to third place. Gradel pounced in the 21st minute, volleying Benjamin Corgnet's cross past goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourden. Moments later, striker Lucas Barrios missed a good chance for seventh-place Montpellier, which is chasing a Europa League place, AP reported. The win moves Saint-Etienne one point ahead of Monaco, which was playing away to last-place Lens later Sunday, and three points clear of fifth-place Marseille, which lost 5-3 at home to Lorient on Friday. Also Sunday, Lyon needed to win at Reims to move back above Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference at the top. PSG routed Lille 6-1 at home on Saturday.
