Monaco fight back to beat Lille

PARIS: The in-form Stevan Jovetic came off the bench to give Monaco a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over struggling Lille on Friday, strengthening his side’s position in the Ligue 1 top three.

The reigning champions are 14 points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain, but more importantly, 12 points clear of fourth-placed Lyon, who meet third-placed Marseille on Sunday in a vital match in the race for the third and final Champions League spot.

Lille have been in disarray all season and 10 of their fans were taken into custody on Thursday after last week’s pitch invasion by angry supporters at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. But the visitors made a bright start in the principality and took a shock 16th-minute lead through South African Lebo Mothiba.

Monaco improved, though, and equalised shortly before half-time thanks to a terrible mistake by Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.