Monaco hand Angers rare loss as PSG extend lead

Monaco dealt surprise high-fliers Angers just a second defeat of the season on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over the Ligue 1 newcomers.

Angers came into the weekend as the nearest challengers to runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain but slipped 10 points adrift as Mario Pasalic's first-half goal at the Stade Louis II snapped the visitors' six-game unbeaten run.

For Monaco it was the first time they had registered back-to-back wins this campaign as Leonardo Jardim's side moved up three places to sixth, two points behind second-placed Lyon, who are above Angers and Saint-Etienne on goal difference.

"This victory is very important for us, it's our first at home this term," said Jardim, who had seen his team pick up just three points from five home matches before Sunday.

"I hope with three straight wins (in all competitions) that the team will kick on from here. Winning breeds confidence and that's very important for us."

Angers have made an incredible start to their first season back in the French top flight since 1994 but were undone by Chelsea loanee Pasalic's close-range finish on 35 minutes after a knockdown header from towering Ivorian striker Lacina Traore.

Stephan El Shaarawy came close to adding a second just after half-time but the toe of Ismael Traore diverted the Italy international's shot just wide of Ludovic Butelle's near post.

Rony Lopes then produced a glaring miss shortly after when he somehow failed to hit the target after Elderson Echiejile's low cross had seemingly presented the Portuguese midfielder with a simple tap-in.

Skipper Cheikh N'Doye had the best chance to snatch a point for Angers but the Senegalese midfielder nodded wide from Abdoul Camara's looping cross in the closing stages.

Earlier, Nice were held in check by Lille in a 0-0 draw at the Allianz Riviera while Marseille, just three points above the relegation zone, visit Nantes later on.

Reigning champions PSG stretched their already sizeable lead at the top with a 1-0 victory in Rennes on Friday courtesy of Angel di Maria's second-half strike.

Lyon climbed up to second on Saturday as Claudio Beauvue's late penalty steered them to an unconvincing 1-0 win over 10-man Troyes, with Saint-Etienne easing to a 3-0 win over a slumping Reims side.

Source: AFP