Monaco consolidate top four position with comfortable win over Lorient
Despite being one of only five teams in the division to pick up more points away than at home, Monaco looked full of confidence during the opening exchanges, and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Aleksandr Golovin drifted a brilliant delivery into the six-yard box towards Krépin Diatta, who shrugged off the challenge of Vincent Le Goff to chest the ball home for his fourth league goal of the season.
Armed with the early momentum, the hosts went in pursuit of further goals, and duly doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark, as Golovin received a pinpoint pass from Wissam Ben Yedder, before sweeping a clinical finish beyond Vito Mannone. Having failed to win any of the last four H2Hs, Monaco showed no signs of slowing down before HT, with Mannone standing firm to deny Diatta a second, while Ben Yedder saw a goalbound effort superbly cleared off the line by Montassar Talbi.
Despite making it through to the interval without further damage, Lorient found themselves further behind early in the second half, as Kevin Volland curled a brilliant strike into the top corner after a clever lay-off from the influential Ben Yedder. This effectively sealed the three points for the rampant hosts, who eased through a largely uneventful final half-hour, despite a late consolation for Lorient, with Ibrahima Koné converting from the spot.
The comfortable victory sees Monaco move level on points with Marseille in third, albeit having played an extra game, while Lorient remain 10th, with hopes of European qualification now looking increasingly unlikely.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Aleksandr Golovin (AS Monaco)