Monaco resist Guingamp's test, restore three-point advantage in Ligue 1

Brazilian international Fabinho's penalty proved to be of much help for Ligue 1 leaders Monaco as they resisted Guingamp's comeback in a 2-1 road victory, extending their advantage to three points once again on Saturday.

Monaco returned to its winning path after combining for eight thrilling goals in a 5-3 loss to Manchester City in the first-leg of UEFA Champions League last 16 in midweek.

Guingamp, who shocked Marseille, PSG and Lyon this season in their home stadium, had Moustapha Diallo's header ruled offside in the 21st minute, three minutes before the visitors broke the deadlock as Thomas Lemar's free kick was carelessly dealt with by Guingamp captain Jimmy Briand and Kamil Glik poked the ball in.

The 18-yer-old forward Kylian Mbappe repeated his glittering performance from the bench with four minutes remaining. He was fouled inside the box by the hosts' goalkeeper Karl Johnsson, before Fabinho made his 11th penalty at target on 11 attempts in the league.

However, Monaco failed to keep a clean-sheet record as Etienne Didot's superb shot went in the top left corner of the goal.

With both Monaco and Nice picking up three points, Paris Saint-Germain may feel much pressure on the title race. It will be tougher for the defending champions as they will visit Marseille in Sunday's Classico.

Thanks to the 19th-minute goal by Giovanni Sio, Rennes edged past Lorient, moving up to the 8th position, while the latter still remained at bottom with 22 points from 27 games.

In other matches, Angers thrashed Bastia 3-0, Bordeaux beat Lille 3-2, and Nancy recorded a goalless draw with Toulouse.

source: Xinhua