[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
Monaco snatched a 2-1 victory at Amiens on Saturday after Wissam Ben Yedder and Islam Slimani struck in a frantic finish to push the Principality team up to fifth in Ligue 1.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Dimitri Payet helped Marseille maintain their grip on second place with the only goal in a 1-0 win over rock-bottom Toulouse.<\/p>\n
In northern France, Monaco trailed to Serhou Guirassy’s first half goal created by a howler by Monaco goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte until Ben Yedder equalised with a superb volley in the 85th minute.<\/p>\n
Three minutes into injury time, Cesc Fabregas supplied the corner for substitute Slimani to head in a dramatic winner that shot his side to within six points of the Champions League places.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy. It was a very tricky match against a team that played well and made it difficult for us,” said Ben Yedder.<\/p>\n
Monaco’s Spanish coach Robert Moreno will hope the goal helps the Algerian Slimani turn the page on a turbulent January when he expressed his desire to leave the club.<\/p>\n
“He’s a great player, I said as much when I arrived at Monaco,” said 42-year-old Moreno.<\/p>\n
“We have an incredible attack with some top-draw players. I’m very happy that he scored.”<\/p>\n
– Payet inspires Marseille –<\/p>\n
Former West Ham forward Payet proved the difference for Marseille as he struck from distance shortly after half-time at the Stade Velodrome to extend Marseille’s unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions.<\/p>\n
Andre Villas-Boas’ side are still nine points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who play Lyon at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“Today we needed a moment of inspiration, and Payet gave it to us,” said Villas-Boas.<\/p>\n
Payet’s winner covered up an uncharacteristically subdued Marseille display in which relegation fodder Toulouse dominated for long stretches and could easily have levelled in the closing stages.<\/p>\n
Marseille came into the match having beaten Saint-Etienne 2-0 midweek and a goalless draw last weekend.<\/p>\n
“I think tiredness hit us, as well as a bit of anxiety,” Villas-Boas said.<\/p>\n
Payet could have had a second late in the game but fired just wide after bursting through the Toulouse defence.<\/p>\n
Veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda preserved Marseille’s lead with an impressive diving save from Belgian forward Aaron Leya Iseka’s shot in the 85th minute.<\/p>\n
Marseille now have an eight-point lead over third-placed Rennes after they dropped points in a goalless draw with Brest.<\/p>\n
Lille are just one point further back after they beat troubled club Angers 2-0 on Friday. Angers’ chairman Said Chabane was charged this week with sexual assault after several women made allegations.<\/p>\n
Patrick Vieira’s Nice side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Nimes despite scoring first but the club backed by chemicals giant INEOS are just two points behind Monaco despite a patchy restart since the winter break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n