Free-scoring Monaco take command with Lorient win

ByReuters

Updated 22/01/2017 at 18:43 GMT

Gabriel Boschilia made the most of an unexpected start as he netted a double to inspire Monaco to a 4-0 home victory against Lorient that sent them to the top of Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Monaco's French forward Valere Germain (C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Lorient (FCL) on January 22, 2017 at the "Louis II Stadium" in Monaco.

Image credit: AFP

The Brazilian struck twice in the first half while Valere Germain also found the back of the net twice to put Monaco on 48 points from 21 games.

Nice are second on 46 points after they drew 1-1 at Bastia on Friday, with champions Paris St Germain in third place a further point back following a 2-0 win at Nantes on Saturday.

Monaco's Brazilian mildfielder Gabriel Boschilia celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Lorient (FCL) on January 22, 2017 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco.

Image credit: AFP

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At Louis II, Monaco once again put on a scintillating display as they seem on course to break the 100-goal barrier in the league season, averaging more than three goals per game.

Coach Leonardo Jardim decided to rest attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar, putting him on the bench as Boschilia made his fourth start of the season.

Boschilia did not disappoint, opening the scoring in the 24th minute when he poked the ball home after keeper Benjamin Lecomte had deflected Radamel Falcao's cross into his path.

He doubled the tally five minutes later with remarkable precision, firing a low shot between Lecomte's legs after being set up just inside the box by Bernardo Silva.

Monaco's Brazilian mildfielder Gabriel Boschilia (L) celebrates with Monaco's French defender Benjamin Mendy after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Monaco (ASM) and Lorient (FCL) on January 22, 2017 at the Louis II Stadium in Mon

Image credit: AFP

Seven minutes before the break, Falcao's shot hit the post and fell to Germain, who curled his attempt coolly past Lecomte.

Germain then fired home from Djibril Sidibe's cross on the hour as Monaco, who travel to PSG next Sunday, scored four goals or more for the ninth time in Ligue 1 this season.

Lorient are bottom of the table on 18 points, three points from safety.

"Winning in Paris would be huge, it would definitely mean something," said Germain.

"It will not determine who will be champions because there will be a lot of matches to follow but we feel that PSG are not as good as last season.

"Since the beginning of the season, we hear that it is the year."

Monaco lead second-placed Nice by two points and on Wednesday, they host Nancy in the French League Cup semi-finals.

"We've been scoring a lot of goals so obviously it makes an impression on others. This match gave us extra confidence ahead of next week," said Germain.

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