Montpellier (AFP)

Monaco, led by its attacking duo Ben Yedder and Volland, approached the podium by chaining a third consecutive success (3-2) Friday in Montpellier, in full tumble, at the opening of the 20th day of Ligue 1.

After a crazy match, Niko Kovac's team was scared until the end.

After being led 3-0, thanks to a brace from Wissam Ben Yedder and a goal from Kevin Volland, Montpellier came back on goals from Elyes Wahi (63rd) and Andy Delort (68th).

But we no longer stop Monaco.

Thanks to thirteen points out of fifteen possible, the partners of Ben Yedder return to three points from Lille (3rd) and Paris SG (2nd), and four from the leader Lyon, pending the rest of the day on Saturday.

Finally effective away from home, with this third victory in a row (Dijon, Lorient), Niko Kovac's team has found the right fuel in its game and is building up significantly.

It stabilizes at the top of the ranking to validate its renewal.

Montpellier, who took only five points in eight days, is going through a very bad period and could even fall in the second half of the standings.

And for good reason: Michel Der Zakarian's team suffered a real breakdown in Mosson.

With only one victory in the last eight games, it cannot compete with the other contenders for Europe.

Talent decided everything.

Monaco's two international forwards, the Habs Ben Yedder and the German Volland tormented the crumbly defense of Montpellier after a long tight first period.

In the 24th minute, following a volley from Ben Yedder repelled by the crossbar, Volland was quicker to place a flat with his left foot, open the scoring and slam his 10th goal.

Ten minutes later (34th), on a cross from Brazilian side Caio Henrique, Ben Yedder, on the edge of offside, placed a subtle header out of reach of Swiss goalkeeper Jonas Omlin.

Shortly before the break (45 + 2nd), Volland was close to adding a third goal.

This will come in the 61st minute on a penalty converted by Ben Yedder, following a foul by central defender Daniel Congré on Volland ...

Even before Ben Yedder's double, the Monegasque machine had set in motion to impose its collective mastery and had left nothing but trifles to the Der Zakarian team, generous, determined but powerless.

By switching to 4-3-3, and taking advantage of the return of midfielder Teji Savanier, Montpellier relaunched in five minutes.

The young striker Elye Wahi, aged 18, reduced the mark for his second appearance (63rd).

Then, Andy Delort, passer, scored on a cross from Florent Mollet (68th), before forcing the former Montpelliéran Benjamin Lecomte to a magnificent tap.

The talent had spoken again.

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