Ligue 1's top scorer Rademel Falcao found the target for the first time in four matches on Sunday as he helped Monaco move one point clear of Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-1 win over Lyon.
Paris Saint-Germain are the only other unbeaten side in France and could reclaim the top spot later on Sunday when they travel to a Saint-Etienne outfit, they failed to beat last season.
Colombian hitman Falcao took his season's tally to eight goals in 11 matches and surprisingly came in for criticism in recent weeks after a brief drought of three fixtures without scoring.
The former Atletico Madrid striker chipped Lyon 'keeper Anthony Lopes in the 36th minute following Mounir Obbadi's 28th minute opener as Claudio Ranieri's men extended their unbeaten run to seven wins and four draws in 11 outings.
French striker Bafetimbi Gomis gave the visitors hope with 28 minutes left when he powered home a close-range header but it wasn't enough as Lyon suffered their fifth defeat.
Lyon are in domestic free-fall as the seven-time champions endure one of the worst starts to their season in over a decade and have just three wins all season under embattled coach Remi Garde.
"We had a pretty easy first half but made life difficult for ourselves by conceding a goal," explained Monaco's Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho.
"It was important for Falcao to score and when he scores Monaco usually win and we have to win all our matches if we want to stay at the top," he added.
Lille slip to third, one point behind PSG and two behind Monaco following their disciplined 1-0 win at Nantes on Friday.
Earlier on Sunday, Bordeaux rode two late goals from Mali international Cheikh Diabate and Polish winger Ludovic Obraniak to defeat Montpellier in a battle of former champions at the Chaban Delmas stadium.
The victory for the 'Girodins' eases them away from the relegation zone and up to 13th while Montpellier's dismal start to the season continues as they slip to three places above the relegation zone.
Source: AFP
