Monaco extend unbeaten streak to maintain second spot in Ligue 1

Fuelled by in-form play by Stevan Jovetic and Rony Lopes, AS Monaco extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches and consolidated their second place in Ligue 1 following a 3-1 victory against Strasbourg here.

Monaco's top scorer Radamel Falcao returned for Friday's match after being sidelined for one month due to left thigh injury, reports Xinhua news agency.

Jovetic, stepping up in the Colombian's absence, added another to his scoresheet just five minutes into the match as he headed home Djibril Sidibe's cross for his fifth goal in last four Ligue 1 outings.

Strasbourg tied the score in the 19th minute through unmarked striker Stephane Bahoken, before defending champions responded quickly in just a two-minute span, as Lopes netted his seventh goal in his last eight top-flight outings.

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho latched onto Keita Balde's pass and fired beyond goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja in the 41st minute.

Marseille, seven points behind Monaco, will travel to Toulouse on Sunday.

--IANS

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