Lopes instrumental as Monaco edge Bordeaux

Bordeaux had won four of their last five games before this challenging away clash and took the lead with a thumping goal from Valentin Vada around the half hour, as the 21-year-old Argentine sneaked into the box to wallop a first time strike into the top corner.

Arsenal target Thomas Lemar then spurned a golden opportunity to equalise within a minute as he nudged a ball agonisingly wide with the Bordeaux 'keeper Benoit Costil beaten.

However, Stevan Jovetic did equalise in the 45th minute to send the hosts back to the dressing room with a boost, wrong footing Costil as his shot flew into the bottom corner.

Lopes then sealed the three points in the 69th minute with a tight-angled shot from the edge of the six-yard area. 

 

2 March 2018

Lopes had scored five times in Monaco's last six league games, including a brace in last week's 3-3 draw at Toulouse with Leonardo Jardim's side now unbeaten in 13 league outings.

In terms of the table following the victory, runaway leaders Paris Saint Germain have 71 points ahead of their trip to Troyes on Saturday, and Monaco now have 60 while third placed Marseille have 55 before hosting Nantes Sunday.

 

2 March 2018

-- Balotelli on target --

Earlier Friday, Mario Balotelli set Nice on their way to a narrow and hard fought 2-1 home win over relegation threatened Lille.

The 27-year-old Italian directed home an impressive fifth minute header, his 22nd of the season, as rumours of a move in the summer to AS Roma mount.

Wylen Cyprien's winner in the 80th minute capped a flying run with a flying volley to seal all three points as Nice chase a Europa League spot with a run of form after a poor start to the season.