Monaco keep title hopes alive

Monaco kept their title hopes alive with a 2-0 home victory over Paris St Germain on Sunday.

The principality team are third in the standings with 42 points from 23 games, six points adrift of leaders Olympique Lyon whose game at Bastia was cancelled on Saturday because of heavy snow.

Monaco, who are unbeaten in nine matches, are two points behind second-placed Lille, who were forced to a goalless draw at struggling Caen on Saturday.

"It is never easy against Paris, who play a very defensive game. But we did well, we had good chances," said Monaco coach Didier Deschamps. "Our duty is to win all our games since the top teams keep winning."

The Parisians, with former CSKA Moscow player Sergei Semak in the side, started the game boldly but were unable to breach the principality team's defence, who then upped the pace.

Mohammed Kallon opened the scoring when he volleyed home a 30-metre cross from left back Patrice Evra in the 36th minute.

The hosts pushed harder just after the interval with Argentine striker Javier Saviola having a goal ruled out for being offside and Togo forward Emmanuel Adebayor's header hit the woodwork.

In the 56th minute, Lucas Bernardi doubled the tally when he latched on to a Evra cross after a fine combination between Czech midfielder Jaroslav Plasil and Adebayor.

Earlier, a late Bocundji Ca goal helped Nantes move five points above the relegation zone with a 1-0 away win at bottom of the table Istres.

On Saturday, fifth-placed Olympique Marseille kept in touch with the top teams when they snatched a 3-1 at Toulouse while fourth-placed AJ Auxerre lost 3-0 at Metz. Both have 41 points from 24 games.