Monaco held at Lorient as Mendy returns after rape acquittal

AS Monaco missed the chance to go four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after Lorient's Romain Faivre scored a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw in a game that saw defender Benjamin Mendy make his return to professional football on Sunday.

With Monaco set to seal all three points, Isaak Toure rose above their defence in the box to head the ball down for Faivre, who volleyed home in the seventh minute of added time.

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Lorient, who lost 3-0 at promoted Le Havre before the international break, made an explosive start when Aiyegun Tosin was put through on goal and the Nigerian striker displayed his power and pace to score inside two minutes.

Monaco equalised in scintillating fashion 15 minutes later with a well-worked team goal, a sweeping move ending with Youssouf Fofana chipping the ball to Aleksandr Golovin, who controlled the lob and scored.

The visitors then took the lead in the second half through substitute Folarin Balogun as the 22-year-old -- who scored 21 Ligue 1 goals for Reims last season -- squeezed his shot in at the near post for his first Monaco goal before Faivre levelled.

Mendy, who was acquitted of rape and attempted rape by a British court in July, came on as a substitute at wing back for the final 20 minutes. Mendy, 29, last played for Manchester City in August 2021 and signed for Lorient on a two-year deal.