Monaco into top three, Marseille slip at home again

Monaco moved into the top three in Ligue 1 for the first time since the opening weekend of the season as a Fabinho penalty gave them a 1-0 win against Saint-Etienne on Sunday.

The Brazilian international netted from the spot eight minutes from time to settle a dour game in the principality club's favour as they bounced back from 4-1 hiding away to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday that saw them eliminated from the Europa League.

Helder Costa had struck the bar in the first period for the hosts at the Stade Louis II before the visitors were reduced to 10 men on 64 minutes when Kevin Malcuit was shown a second yellow card.

Leonardo Jardim's men then won the crucial penalty when Pierre-Yves Polomat was penalised for handball.

"It was a positive match. We controlled the opposition and they didn't have many chances," said Jardim, whose side are now unbeaten in five Ligue 1 games.

Jardim also saw young goalkeeper Paul Nardi keep a clean sheet on his top-flight debut in place of the unfit Danijel Subasic.

"Our objective remains the same, to bring through young players and get results at the same time," added Jardim.

Monaco are behind second-placed Angers only on goal difference after the promoted club came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Bordeaux, Romain Thomas cancelling out Diego Rolan's opener.

Both clubs sit 14 points adrift of runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who defend their unbeaten domestic record this season when they host Lyon on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, Marseille's home woes continued as they had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw with Gazelec Ajaccio.

Jacques Zoua put the Corsicans in front from the penalty spot but Michy Batshuayi equalised before half-time with his 11th league goal of the season.

Gazelec had a Mohamed Larbi goal wrongly disallowed for offside just after the break before the hosts saw Abdelaziz Barrada harshly shown a straight red card for following through in a challenge on John Tshibumbu.

Marseille are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions but have now failed to win any of their last seven league matches at the Stade Velodrome and remain in mid-table.

After failing to win any of their first 10 top-flight games, Gazelec are now unbeaten in eight and sit two points clear of the relegation zone.
Source: AFP