Monaco 3 - 1 ES Troyes AC: Guido Carrillo double helps Monaco strengthen grip on second place in Ligue 1

Posted Sunday, February 21, 2016 by PA

Monaco opened up a five-point gap in second place thanks to a hard-fought 3-1 win against bottom club Troyes.

The visitors could easily have been three up inside a quarter of an hour but Karim Azamoum fired just wide of the post before Danijel Subasic made solid saves to deny Chaouki Ben Saada on two separate occasions.

Troyes continued to have the better of the opening exchanges and were denied by the woodwork on 20 minutes following some decent interplay that resulted in Fabian Camus' effort finding the outside of Subasic's left post.

Despite that early dominance, though, Mohamed Bradja's side found themselves a goal behind on 25 minutes when Guido Carrillo pounced on Chris Mavinga's block to head home from close range.

A rejuvenated Monaco continued to create chances after opening the scoring and only a smart Matthieu Dreyer save denied Vagner Love after the Brazilian striker burst through on goal.

Then, with half-time fast approaching, Carrillo grabbed his and Monaco's second of the game, heading home at the back post from Andrea Raggi's delivery.

Babacar Gueye offered hope for the visitors when he headed Benjamin Nivet's header beyond Subasic on 79 minutes.

However, Monaco wrapped up the points in added time when Kylian Mbappe Lottin scored his first ever Ligue 1 goal, converting from 12 yards after being picked out by Helder Costa.