AS Monaco striker Dimitar Berbatov’s second-half goal secured a 1-0 win at LOSC Lille Metropole on Saturday as they moved within striking distance of the European places in Ligue 1 with a seventh consecutive clean sheet.
The Bulgarian striker headed home shortly before the hour as Monaco remained fifth with 39 points from 22 games, six behind leaders Olympique Lyonnais, who were scheduled to host lowly Metz yesterday, and two points off the Champions League spots.
Monaco went into the game having conceded one goal in their last 11 matches in all competitions and with mid-table Lille taking no chances they were barely threatened throughout.
Photo: AFP
The visitors dominated possession, but could not manage a single shot on target in a poor first half.
Lille suffered a setback in the 40th minute when defender Franck Beria came off with what looked like a knee injury and was replaced by Sebastien Corchia.
Monaco were more dangerous after the break with Joao Moutinho’s low shot going just wide two minutes into the second half.
Berbatov was more accurate when he beat Vincent Enyeama with a fine header from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco’s free-kick with Monaco’s first attempt on target.
Elsewhere, OSG Nice edged visitors Olympique de Marseille 2-1, hosts En Avant de Guingamp beat Lorient 3-2, Nantes were thrashed 4-0 away at Montpellier Herault, and Girondins de Bordeaux could only manage a 0-0 draw at SC Bastia.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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