AS Monaco returned to the top of Ligue 1 this evening with a 3-0 win over Bastia.
Emmanuel Riviere gave the home side the lead late in the first half, before Radamel Falcao added a second two minutes later.
The Colombian striker completed his brace late in the second half to seal the win for Monaco.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening, with just a couple of minutes until kickoff, let's take a look at the teams.
MONACO STARTING XI: Subasic, Kurzawa, Abidal, Carvalho, Raggi, Kondogbia, Moutinho, Ocampos, James, Riviere, Facao
BASTIA STARTING XI: Landreau, Squillaci, Modesto, Harek, Diakite, Romaric, Krasic, Boudebouz, Cahuzac, Khazri, Keseru
The players are one the pitch ready for this evening's game.
Monaco get the game underway.
Falcao sends a long ball forward looking for Riviere, but the striker can't get control in time, and Landreau is able to claim the ball. Both sides are still finding their way into this match at the moment.
Boudebouz whips in a fantastic cross, with Keseru waiting just in front of goal, but Carvalho is on hand to put the ball behind for a corner. There's a bit of confusion in the box when the corner is taken, and Abidal eventually manages to make the clearance.
Rodriguez and Falcao team up on the edge of the box, but can't find their way into the penalty area. It's been a fairly scrappy start for both teams, who are yet to settle this evening.
Khazri loses his footing as he tries to keep the ball in play near the sideline. He goes off for some treatment, but it looks like he'll be ok to continue.
Modesto shows great determination at the back to keep Riviere from breaking into the Bastia area. The home side are starting to see a bit more of the ball than their opponents, but are yet to really threaten the goal.
CHANCE! Diakite plays superbly down the right wing before passing to Krasic, who sends a testing ball in towards Subasic, who just manages to hold on to the ball.
CHANCE! Ocampos, Riviere and Falcao work their way through midfield, before Falcao tries to unleash a striker from the edge of the area, but he scuffs his shot. It's just as well for him, as the flag had gone up anyway. It looks like Monaco are just starting to get warmed up.
Falcao beats Cahuzac with some flashy footwork before sliding it the ball across for Moutinho, who wastes the chance with a wild shot which goes well high
Khazri tries to curl the ball in from just inside the Monaco box, but a deflection from Carvalho sends is over for a corner. Subasic initially flaps at the ball before taking it at the second time of asking.
CHANCE! Krasic wins the ball before picking out Khazri, who hits it first time from 20 yards out, and it takes a good stop from Subasic to keep the ball out. Carvalho clears from the resulting corner.
CHANCE! Falcao crosses to Rodriguez, who pulls it back for Moutinho. The midfielder takes another shot from range, and this time it's just over the crossbar.
CHANCE! A brilliant cross in from Raggi finds Riviere, who hits the ball on the volley with some pace, forcing a fantastic save form Landreau. That really was a stunning stop by the Bastia keeper.
Falcao fights brilliantly to get past Modesto before Squillaci puts the ball behind for a Monaco corner. Bastia deal with the immediate threat from the corner, before a long effort from Rodriguez is stopped by Landreau.
CHANCE! Boudebouz forces a save from Subasic, but the Monaco keeper spills the ball, giving the midfielder another chance, but his effort goes just wide. Subasic has looked far from convincing between the posts so far in this match.
CHANCE! Ocampos wins a corner for the hosts, which he almost manages to score from, attempting an ambiotious overhead kick, which was kept out by the fingertips of Landreau. Ocampos gets a chance from the second corner, but chooses not to hit it first time, giving Bastia time to clear.
Falcao has a chance for a header from close, range, but the striker waits too long to see what Landreau is going to do, and it goes behind for a goal kick. The Bastia keeper has been excellent so far this evening.
GOAL! Monaco 1-0 Bastia (Riviere)
Riviere picks the ball up from Falcao inside the box. He's being marked closely, and is on his way down, but still manages to get his shot away, slicing it beyond Landreau.
Bastia immediately win a free kick from strong position, which Khazri whips in. It's a good delivery, but Subasic is able to make the stop.
GOAL! Monaco 2-0 Bastia (Falcao)
Subasic's throw from the Khazri stop launches the home side on a quick counter attack. Falcao collects the ball in midfield, easily passing the Bastia defenders before smashing his finish into the net.
Krasic and Khazri carve their way through the Monaco defence again as they look to get the visitors back in the match, before Abidal blocks Krasic's way.
HALF TIME: AS Monaco 2-0 Bastia
Two quick fire goals late in the half have left Monaco in control at half time at the Stade Louis II. Once again, it's Radamel Falcao and Emmanuel Riviere with the goals for the home side.
Let's take a look at some of the stats from the first half. Monaco controlled the possession with 65%. Both sides had nine chances, with Bastia testing Subasic three times, while the home side had four efforts on target.
Khazri and Krasic have looked dangerous for the visitors, but Carvalho has been mighty at the back for the home side.
The players are just making their way back out ready for the second half.
Bastia get the second half underway.
CHANCE! Falcao unleashes a thunderous effort from just inside the penalty area, but Landreau makes another impressive save to deny the striker.
SUB! Julien Sable is coming on in place of Yannick Cahuzac, who had been moving awkwardly at the start of this second half.
Riviere charges into the Bastia box, but Landreau rushes out to meet him. Riviere has a chance to lift the ball over the keeper but waits too long to take his effort, allowing the Bastia stopper to bury the ball.
SUB! It's another change for the visitors as Sebastien Squillaci makes way for Julian Palmieri. Again, it looks like the player coming off is in some pain.
Bastia for a corner, but Boudebouz's delivery is easily cleared by Moutinho. However, the visitors get another chance when Ocampos handled the ball. Boudebouz curls it in from the edge of the box, but it's straight into the hands of Subasic.
CHANCE! Boudebouz is looking really lively for the visitors at the moment. Having sent a ball well over a moment earlier, the midfielder gets another chance, lashing the ball towards the target from just outside the box, forcing another good stop from Subasic.
Khazri brings down Kondogbia, giving Monaco a free kick well inside the Bastia half. Rodriguez tries to deliver it to Falcao, but the Colombian was caught offside.
SUB! Kondogbia heads off, allowing Mounor Obbadi to come on for Monaco.
CHANCE! Khazri unleashes a rocket from 25 yards, and forces a top save from Subasic, who tips the ball wide for a corner, which Monaco quickly clear.
SUB! The hosts make their second change of the night as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco comes on in place of Lucas Ocampos.
Carrasco looks to make an impact straight away, playing his way down the left wing before crossing in towards Moutinho. Bastia make the clearance but Riviere tries to deliver it back in for the midfielder, but his pass is long.
CHANCE! Riviere takes a shot from close range but he fires it straight at Landreau, who comfortable makes the save.
CHANCE! Riviere makes a superb run into the box before passing to Carrasco. The substitute returns the ball to the second goalscorer, who looks to tap it in from close range, but he's flagged for offside.
SUB! The visitors make their final change of the match, taking off Milos Krasic, who has put in quite a shift this evening, and bringing on Gianni Bruno.
BOOKING! Romaric hauls Carrasco down by his shirt, earning him the first yellow card of the match.
SUB! The hosts make their final change, sending on Fabinho in place of Andrea Raggi.
Monaco are just happy to keep the ball at the moment, patiently passing it around the midfield, and making Bastia do all the work to try and regain possession.
Boudebouz wins the ball for the visitors, but Fabinho quickly blocks his move before he reaches the Monaco penalty area. It's just a case of waiting for the final whistle for the hosts now.
CHANCE! Keseru picks out Bruno with a brilliant move from midfield, but the offside flag is raised against Bruno. He indicates the the bench that must have been just off, but looking at the replay, he might have been hard done by.
CHANCE! Riviere breaks into the Bastia box as he tries to add his second and Monaco's third of the match, but Landreau, who has been brilliant despite the scoreline, makes another solid stop.
GOAL! Monaco 3-0 Bastia (Falcao)
Riviere has another attempt, but it's blocked by Harek. However, the Bastia defender's clearance falls right at the feet of Falcao, who pounces to clinch his second goal of the night.
BOOKING! Falcao picks up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Boudebouz, catching the midfielder's foot with his studs.
FULL TIME: AS Monaco 3-0 Bastia
Riviere's opener and a brace from Falcao help AS Monaco return to the top of Ligue 1, two points clear of Paris Saint-Germain. They were far from convincing in the opening half hour, but a couple of special moments from the goalscorers helped the home side take control of the match.
Bastia may find themselves with some injury concerns following tonight's match. Captain Yannick Cahuzac and Sebastien Squillaci both left the pitch limping early in the second half, while Fethi Harek also hobbled off before full time.
That's all from the Stade Louis II, but stick around to read reports from all of tonight's Ligue 1 clashes. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.
Written by
Sian Cowper
Sian Cowper
