Mario Pasalic gives Monaco victory over Angers to stretch unbeaten run

Monaco extended their unbeaten Ligue 1 run to six games and claimed their first home win of the season with a 1-0 victory over joint-second placed Angers.

Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic's solitary first-half goal was the difference in a scrappy affair that inflicted only a second defeat of the season on the visitors.

Angers began strongly, and both Billy Ketkeophomphone and Cheikh N'Doye went close inside the opening 10 minutes.

Then, following a quiet period in the match, Monaco made the breakthrough on 35 minutes when Lacino Traore flicked on Joao Moutinho's free-kick for Pasalic to tap home.

The hosts could have doubled their lead just after the restart when Elderson Echiejile played in Rony Lopes, but the former Manchester City man failed to find the target from six yards.

Lopes continued to cause problems and he forced a smart save from Ludovic Butelle minutes later while, at the other end, Ketkeophomphone screwed an effort wide after latching on to Jeremy Toulalan's clearance.

Angers pressed late on and were almost rewarded on 88 minutes when a deflected shot fell into N'Doye's path -- but the visitors' skipper saw his header spin just wide.