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Ligue 1 Review: Monaco beat Evian, Saint-Etienne go fourth
Monaco produced further evidence of an upturn in form with a 2-0 Ligue 1 win over Evian on Saturday.
Having made a disappointing start to life under Leonardo Jardim, the Principality club have shown signs of improvement in recent fixtures, claiming a 0-0 stalemate at Zenit in the UEFA Champions League before holding chamions Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw.
And they built on those two strong results with a comfortable victory at the Stade Louis II.
Joao Moutinho put the hosts ahead after just two minutes from the penalty spot, and the points were made safe in bizarre fashion in the 70th minute as Ricardo Carvalho's clearance bounced over the head of Evian goalkeeper Jesper Hansen, allowing midfielder Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco to slot into an empty net.
Monaco remain in the bottom half in 11th despite that success, but Saint-Etienne are up to fourth after Fabien Lemoine's 87th minute goal gave Christophe Galtier's side a 1-0 triumph at Lorient.
Saint-Etienne are into the top four as a consequence of slip-ups by Nantes and Lille.
Nantes were held to a 1-1 home draw by Reims, while Lille suffered their third league loss in four matches with a 2-1 reverse at home to struggling 10-man Guingamp.
Lille dominated proceedings, attempting 28 shots to Guingamp's five, yet it was the visiting Coupe de France holders that proved the more clinical side.
A Claudio Beauvue header and a low strike from Ronnie Schwartz put Guingamp in control but midfielder Rio Mavuba hit back in the 79th minute to give Lille hope.
Guingamp defender Benjamin Angoua was shown a straight red card for pulling back Nolan Roux four minutes from time but Lille could not make their numerical advantage count as Guingamp ended their four-match losing streak in the league.
Elsewhere, Bastia won 1-0 at Nice thanks to Floyd Ayite's 51st-minute winner and Metz drew 0-0 with Rennes.
