PARIS: Benjamin Mendy delivered two assists and Falcao scored a second-half brace as leaders Monaco moved three points clear at the top of Ligue 1 by defeating Cote d’Azur rivals Nice 3-0 in their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

Valere Germain headed in the opening goal on 47 minutes at the Stade Louis II before Falcao turned in Monaco’s second with an hour gone.

The Colombian stroked home a third for the hosts nine minutes from time — Monaco’s 100th goal this season in 38 matches in all competitions.

With their convincing win Monaco made another strong statement in the race for the title and avenged a 4-0 loss to Nice in September.

“We conceded too early in the second half, we are not allowed to concede like that,” Nice coach Lucien Favre said after his side’s first loss in 11 league games, only its second this season.

“It changed everything. After going down 1-0 we should have been more patient. Instead we took risks and left space down the flanks where they are really dangerous,” Favre added.

Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco, who have scored 68 league goals in 23 matches, have 52 points.

Nice are third on 49, behind Paris St Germain on goal difference after late goals by Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani gave the champions a 3-1 win at Dijon.

“We’re ahead but there are still a lot of matches left. I think the team that wins the title will be the one that picks up the most points against teams outside the top five,” said Jardim.

“Our three-point advantage is nothing. It’s good but I told the players to be careful of something that could come along and derail us.”

Published in Dawn February 6th, 2017