Monaco go top of Ligue 1 with Falcao hat-trick

Radamel Falcao netted a hat-trick on Saturday to help Monaco win 4-0 in an away match against Bordeaux and reach top of Ligue 1 football standings.

The Colombian striker bundled in Valere Germain's cross to make it 2-0 in the fourth minute after Djibril Sidibe opened the scoring on just two minutes here on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

Falcao's second goal was also set up by Germain, who found him out from the right flank with a pass on 50th minute.

And 14 minutes later, Falcao, who is thriving at Monaco after two unsuccessful seasons on loan at English club's Manchester United and Chelsea, slotted in a penalty after midfielder Bernardo Silva was fouled.

With five goals in two games, Falcao has tallied 10 in 13 league matches so far, even though four of those appearances have been as a substitute.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim took Falcao off with 20 minutes left, two minutes after the home side was down to 10 men after midfielder Adam Ounas was sent off for a crude foul on fullback Djibril Sidibe.

With the victory, Monaco side moved to the top of the French top flight football on goal difference, ahead of Nice, who play defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night.

Also on Saturday, Marseille claimed a 2-1 away win over Dijon as homegrown teenager Maxime Lopez scored his first goal for the club.

The 19-year-old central midfielder poked in a cross from winger Florian Thauvin in the sixth minute. Midfielder Mehdi Abeid equalised for Dijon but Bafetimbi Gomis netted a late winner for his eighth of the season.

It was the first time Marseille won consecutive league games this season, which helped them climb up to the eighth spot.

In other Ligue 1 games on Saturday, Toulouse beat bottem side Lorient 3-2 and moved up to the seventh place, Lille downed Montpellier 2-1 to climb up to mid-table, Nancy beat Angers 2-0 at home, and Corsican side Bastia won against Metz 2-0.

The game between Nantes and Caen was called off because of thick fog.

--IANS

sam/vt