MONACO: Monaco are shaping up as Ligue 1 title contenders after dispatching Montpellier 6-2 on Friday night, with Radamel Falcao celebrating his return from injury with a goal.

The win moved Monaco up to second place, one point behind leaders Nice ahead of this weekend’s games, and took Monaco’s goal tally to 29 goals in 10 games so far.

Despite the lop-sided scoreline they did not have it all their own way on a night of controversial refereeing decisions, a sublime free kick and some rank-bad defending from Montpellier.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim also took aim at the game’s authorities who ordered the team to play Friday, just three days after competing in a Champions League clash in Moscow.

“After the match and a victory, it’s easy to say that it wasn’t a problem,” said Jardim. “But I say that it’s not good to play Friday, not good for French football, for the players or for the spectacle.”

Falcao started his first game since sustaining a concussion against Nice on Sept. 21, and levelled for Monaco from the penalty spot in the 36th minute after midfielder Ryad Boudebouz had opened the scoring for the visitors with an early free kick.

But the star of the night for Monaco was 17-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe, who won the penalty from which Falcao scored and expertly headed a goal of his own shortly after the break before setting up another for striker Valere Germain in the 74th.

Monaco’s other goals came in the second half from Brazilian defender Jemerson and midfielders Thomas Lemar and Adama Traore.

Boudebouz got Montpellier’s other goal from the penalty spot to make it 2-2 in the 61st.

Published in Dawn October 23rd, 2016