French champions AS Monaco showed the fighting spirit that has often been lacking in their league games this season after they won 3-2 at home to UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification rivals Olympique Lyon.

Lyon made a bright start and were rewarded with two unreplied goals in the first 27 minutes from Mariano Diaz and Bertrand Traore however that provoked a reaction from the hosts and they equalised within four minutes.

Senegalese international forward Keita Balde halved the deficit on 33 minutes before Radamel Falcao scored the rebound from his penalty in the 37th minute to level proceedings for his team.

The aforementioned Balde went from hero to zero as he was sent off for two yellow cards in four minutes just before halftime.

Monaco held on against a vibrant Lyon side and they were eventually rewarded for their perseverance with Rony Lopes’ goal two minutes from time.

The win was enough to take Monaco (50 points) above Lyon (48 points) into 3rd place in the race for Europe next season.

Week 24 Results

Rennes 0-1 Guingamp

Caen 3-2 Nantes

Monaco 3-2 Lyon

Standings (Top 4 via Points):

1. PSG 62

2. Marseille 51

3. Monaco 50

4. Lyon 48