AS Monaco 3-2 Guingamp

Monaco strengthened their grip on a Champions League place with an entertaining 3-2 win against Guingamp.First-half goals from Lacina Traore and Nabil Dirar helped Monaco on their way to only a second league win in five but one that keeps them in the top three for another week.Mevlut Erding and Brou Angoua scored two late goals either side of Bernardo Silva's strike to ensure a nervy ending but Leonardo Jardim's side held on for victory.The hosts made the perfect start with their first real opportunity of the game in the 17th minute when Traore netted after Andrea Raggi's initial header came back off the crossbar into the Ivorian's path.It could have been 2-0 when Dirar worked his way into the area but the Morroccan's drilled effort from the left angle of the area was gathered by Jonas Lossl.But Dirar did double his side's lead as half-time approached when he converted from the right side of the area, with the help of a deflection, after latching on to Silva's pass.Monaco picked up where they left off after the restart and only the frame of the goal prevented a third goal when Tiemoue Bakayoko's header came back off the bar.Lossl was called upon on the hour-mark and he made two magnificent stops to deny Fabinho and Helder Costa.However, Guingamp reduced the deficit with 15 minutes left when a scramble in the penalty are was finished off by Erding.Monaco showed no signs of nerves, though, and restored their two-goal advantage in a matter of seconds thanks to Silva, who danced his way through the visitors' defence before leaving Lossl with little chance from 18 yards.There was still time for Angoua to place a superb header beyond Danijel Subasic to make it 3-2 but it was a case of too little too late as Monaco held on for a vital three points.