Monaco snatch late win to stay unbeaten in Ligue 1

Paris Brunner put Monaco ahead after 37 minutes, but Lens fought back when Matthieu Udol headed in from Florian Thauvin's corner shortly after half-time.

With the game heading towards a draw, Jonathan Gradit turned the ball into his own net in the 84th minute to hand Monaco all three points.

The result moved Filipe Luis' side three points clear at the top of Ligue 1, although that position could change when the other leading teams play.

Monaco had several chances to take control of the match and thought they had opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes when Matthis Abline finished calmly, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Edan Diop then saw another Monaco goal disallowed before Brunner finally broke the deadlock. Abline produced an excellent pass for the forward, who kept his composure to beat Robin Risser from close range for his fourth league goal of the season.

Monaco could have doubled their advantage before the break, but Abline somehow missed from just a few yards after Risser had saved Brunner's initial effort.

Abline had the ball in the net again early in the second half, only for another offside decision to deny Monaco.

Lens had been under pressure for long periods but suddenly found a way back into the contest in the 57th minute. Udol met Thauvin's corner with a glancing header that flew beyond Lukas Hradecky.

The visitors then threatened to complete the turnaround, with substitute Thorgan Hazard heading over the bar from a good position.

Monaco refused to settle for a point, however, and were rewarded six minutes from time when Gradit's attempted clearance ended up in his own net.

The victory means Monaco have now won four of their opening five Ligue 1 matches for the third consecutive season, underlining their strong start to the campaign.

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