Monaco hit Brest on the counter to cut PSG lead

Monaco tightened their grip on second in Ligue 1 with a 3-2 home win on Friday over Brest, who like the hosts, face a demanding Champions League match on Tuesday.

Maghnes Akliouche scored twice on the counterattack and Aleksandr Golovin hit his first of the season for Monaco, who sit third in the Champions League table and entertain Benfica on Tuesday.

But Brest, who are fourth in the Champions League and visit Barcelona next week, dominated the second half and fought to the end.

Monaco started strongly, Akliouche finished a counterattack after five minutes and hit a post four minutes later. Golovin added the second after 24 minutes.

By then the visitors had lost playmaker Pierre Lees-Melou, who was later walking with crutches.

Abdallah Sima cut the lead with a 50th-minute header.

Brest coach Eric Roy was shown a 67th-minute red card. As his team pressed for a late equaliser, Monaco struck on the break in added time. Akliouche finished the move with a piledriver.

Brest kept fighting and Ludovic Ajorque replied as time expired.

Monaco closed to three points behind leader Paris Saint-Germain, who hosted Toulouse in the late game, and increased their advantage over third-placed Marseille to six points.

Brest stayed 12th but are only three points ahead of Saint-Etienne in the relegation playoff spot.