Radamel Falcao was at it again, scoring a brace for the second week running as Monaco defeated Lille 4-0 on Friday.
The hosts dominated possession, while Monaco counter attacked devastatingly, and took the lead when Stefan Jovetic scored on his first start, after dispossessing Anwar El Ghazi before slotting home in the 24th minute.
Six minutes later, it was 2-0, as the champions doubled their lead through Rachid Ghezzal, who met a low cross from Almamy Toure before calmly a finishing to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage at the break.
After the restart, Falcao snuffed out any hopes the home side had of getting something out of the game when he added a third.
Rony Lopes forced a good save off Maignan, with the rebound falling kindly to Falcao, who made no mistakes to head home his first goal of the night.
Lille kept controlling the game, but hardly created anything and on the 74th minute, Monaco were given a chance to add to the scoreline when the referee pointed to spot.
Jorge was fouled in box by Rominigue Kouame, with Falcao stepping up to convert expertly the resultant spot kick.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men had chances to reduce the deficit, but were twice denied by the post, before Benaglio, who replaced the injured Danijel Subasic in the Monaco goal, denied Ezequiel Pounce with a brilliant save.
Monaco held on for their 18th win in 19 Ligue 1 matches, a run that started from last season.
Elsewhere, Nice came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home with Angers.
Pavlovic and Toko Ekambi had given the visitors a 2-0 lead, but goals from Mario Balotelli, who converted a penalty, and an Ismael Traore own goal saw Lucien Favre’s side earn a share of the spoils.
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