AS Monaco Surges to Top of Ligue 1 with 3-1 Win

AS Monaco Surges to Top of Ligue 1 with 3-1 Win

Ismail Jakobs of AS Monaco and Jordan Veretout of Olympique de Marseille challenge during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille at Stade Louis II on September 30, 2023 in Monaco, Monaco. (Image-Getty)

 AS Monaco surged to the top of the Ligue 1 standings following a commanding 3-1 victory over fourth-placed Reims on a Saturday to claim the coveted position.

The breakthrough for Monaco came just before halftime when Ismail Jakobs, a defender who had recently joined the club from Cologne in 2021, netted his maiden Ligue 1 goal from close range. This pivotal strike propelled Monaco ahead in the match.

The visitors extended their lead early in the second half, as striker Folarin Balogun displayed his finesse with a precise finish from close quarters. Mere minutes later, Wissam Ben Yedder added to Monaco's tally with a skillful header, solidifying their commanding 3-0 advantage.

Reims managed to pull a goal back from the penalty spot when midfielder Teddy Teuma unleashed an unstoppable shot past Monaco's goalkeeper, Philipp Koehn. This penalty was awarded after a foul committed by Monaco substitute Christian Matsima on Marshall Munetsi.

With this impressive victory, Monaco ascended to the summit of the Ligue 1 table, amassing 17 points from eight games. They secured a one-point lead over the second-placed Nice, while holding a three-point cushion over Brest, who have a game in hand.

Nice briefly seized the top spot in the league with a 1-0 triumph over Metz, with midfielder Hicham Boudaoui finding the net with his first touch from close range in the 14th minute. This win maintained Nice's unbeaten streak in the league, boasting four wins and four draws.

Looking ahead, Olympique Lyonnais, positioned at the bottom of the table, will aim to secure their first league victory of the season when they host lowly Lorient on Sunday. Meanwhile, struggling Olympique de Marseille is set to face promoted Le Havre.

In other fixtures, third-placed Brest is scheduled to take on French Cup winners Toulouse, while champions Paris St Germain will visit sixth-placed Stade Rennais in what promises to be an exciting showdown in the Ligue 1.