James Rodriguez hit a brace as Monaco beat Nantes 3-1 to
delay Paris Saint-Germain's march to the Ligue 1 title.
Claudio Ranieri's side went into the game knowing defeat
would give Laurent Blanc's men the chance to wrap up the title with a win next
week.
And with injured striker Radamel Falcao watching from the
stands, Monaco produced a show of defiance to delay the destination of the
title.
Rodriguez scored after 18 minutes and Andrea Raggi
doubled the lead in the 72nd minute.
A spot kick from Rodriguez made the lead more emphatic
and although Alejandro Bedoya grabbed a consolation, Monaco easily wrapped up
the win to bounce back impressively after last week's defeat to Evian.
Fourth-placed Saint-Etienne lost ground in the race for
third after drawing 1-1 with mid-table Nice.
Mathieu Bodmer headed the visitors in front after 57
minutes but the hosts grabbed a late equaliser from the penalty spot after Didier
Digard's injury-time handball which saw him receive his second yellow card.
Max Gradel converted the spot kick but they are still
five points from third.
Lyon kept their faint UEFA Champions League qualification
hopes alive with a 2-1 win at 10-man Valenciennes who moved closer to
relegation.
Bafetimbi Gomis bagged his 12th league goal of the
campaign on the half hour but Abdul Waris equalised midway through the second
half.
Parity was shortlived though, as Jordan Ferri struck what
turned out to be the winner after 69 minutes.
Lyon's unused substitute goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre was
shown two yellow cards for dissent late on, while Marco da Silva was dismissed
for Valenciennes after a second booking.
Waris thought he had equalised two minutes later but it
was disallowed and Lyon held on to remain nine points behind Lille in third,
while Valenciennes are now six points from safety.
Culled from Soccerway
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