Monaco hammer Nantes, Marseille back on winning track in Ligue 1

Leaders Monaco restored a three-point advantage after thrashing Nantes 4-0 at home, and Marseille returned to winning ways after two agonising losses as they eased past bottom side Lorient 4-1 in the 28th round of Ligue 1 action.

Even though their top scorer Radamel Falcao was sidelined due to muscle fatigue, Monaco still were able to take on promising youngster Kylian Mbappe's fourth-minute goal for a solid start on Sunday, before his partner up in front Valere Germain doubled the lead for his ninth goal of the campaign, reports Xinhua news agency.

The French league leaders continued their attacking play, as Mbappe's header in stoppage time earned them a three-goal lead before the interval.

Penalty specialist Fabinho concluded Monaco's sumptuous night at 59th minute, when he converted the 12-yard shot into his seventh goal in the league.

Meanwhile, Marseille made a strong comeback from their last weekend's lopsided 5-1 loss to arch-rivals PSG and 4-3 extra-time defeat to Monaco in the French Cup last 16 at midweek.

Dimitri Payet netted his second after returning to Marseille in the winter transfer window midway through the first half, after centre-back Rolando's header handed the visitors a comfortable lead as early as six minutes.

Florian Thauvin scored his eighth league goal on 53 minutes. Morgan Sanson added another agonizing finish for bottom-ranked Lorient, who might get a little consolation with their top scorer Benjamin Moukandjo's goal with less than 20 minutes of play remaining.

--IANS

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