Monaco win to re-establish cushion at Ligue 1 summit

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Monaco win to re-establish cushion at Ligue 1 summit
Football Soccer - EA Guingamp v AS Monaco - French Ligue 1 - Roudourou Stadium, Guingamp, France - 25/02/2017. Monaco's Fabinho celebrates with his team mate Kamil Glik after scoring. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Monaco re-established their three-point advantage at the top of Ligue 1 but the free-scoring leaders were made to work hard for a 2-1 victory at En Avant Guingamp on Saturday.

Monaco had scored 76 times in 26 games before the trip to Guingamp but found chances at a premium with Polish defender Kamil Glik’s 24th-minute goal their only reward of an even first half.

Guingamp commanded plenty of possession in the second period before Monaco’s Brazilian midfielder Fabinho converted a penalty in the 86th minute to all but seal their 19th Ligue 1 victory of the season.

Etienne Didot pulled a late consolation back for the hosts but Monaco held on for victory to climb three points clear of second-placed Nice who beat Montpellier 2-1 on Friday.

Later on Saturday, Angers SCO host Bastia, Toulouse visit AS Nancy-Lorraine, Lille face Girondins Bordeaux and Stade Rennes play FC Lorient.

Third-placed Paris St Germain, who are six points adrift of Monaco, travel to Olympique de Marseille on Sunday as they continue their bid for a fifth successive French title.