10-man Monaco beats local rival Nice to keep second place

By foxsports
Published

PARIS --

Ten-man Monaco overcame a sending off early in the second half to beat local rival Nice 1-0 and remain in second place in the French league on Saturday.

Nice would have overtaken Monaco on goal difference if it had won the French Riviera derby, but failed to take advantage after Monaco midfielder Nabil Dirar was sent off in the 47th minute after picking two yellow cards in quick succession.

Instead, the red card inspired Monaco and midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko headed in a free-kick from Joao Moutinho in the 81st to seal a hard-fought win.

Monaco remains a massive 21 points behind runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain, which plays at bitter rival Marseille on Sunday.

Later Saturday, Lyon was away to fourth-place Angers.