AS Monaco continued their impressive start to their season, while champions Paris Saint-Germain’s early season struggles continued as they were held to a draw for the second consecutive week.
It’s only been two weeks, but Monaco have lived up to their heavyweight billing. Last weekend they beat Bordeaux 2-0 and this weekend they beat Montpellier 4-1. Falcao opened the scoring for Monaco on 18 minutes from the penalty spot and although Victor Montaño levelled, Rivière, scored either side of the interval to give the principality side a comfortable lead
Riviere then grabbed his third and Monaco’s fourth late to ensure Monaco joined Olympique Lyonnais, Marseille and AS Saint-Étienne atop Ligue 1 on six points.
PSG, who were held 1-1 at Montpellier last week, drew 1-1 at home to AC Ajaccio. Ajaccio took a shock lead in the ninth minute. Adrian Mutu cut the ball back to Benoit Pedretti, who unleashed a stunning first-time shot into the top right corner.
That was Ajaccio’s only shot all match as PSG dominated but was frustrated by a well-organized defense and outstanding goalkeeping from Guillermo Ochoa.
Thiago Silva headed a corner onto the crossbar in the 81st minute, before Cavani, leveled five minutes later.
Silva again hit the crossbar in stoppage time with a powerful strike, but new PSG coach Laurent Blanc is still without a victory.
In Sunday’s other game, Lorient beat Nantes 2-1. Nantes took the lead in the 17th minute in somewhat fortunate circumstances, with Olivier Veigneau’s cross from 35 meters out ending up in the far corner of the net.
Lorient leveled five minutes from halftime when Maxime Baca sent a ball through to an unmarked Vincent Aboubakar, who calmly slotted it past goalkeeper Remy Riou.
Jeremie Aliadiere scored the winner with a stunning free kick that Riou got a hand to but couldn’t prevent going into the top left corner.
Nantes were prevented from scoring a stoppage-time equalizer by Lamine Kone’ last-ditch clearance off the line.
