Monaco still challenging for French league title

Monaco's defender Patrice Evra (R) challenges Nice's Brazilian midfielder Piera da Silva Everson, during their French L1 football match in Nice

Monaco's 2-1 away victory at Nice thanks to first-half goals from Dado Prso and Ludovic Giuly gave warning they are still challenging strongly for the French league title.

However injuries to both Prso and Jerome Rothen, who has a groin problem, make them doubts for Monaco's European Champions League semi-final, second leg at Chelsea on Wednesday. Monaco lead 3-1 from the first match.

Prso found the net in the 35th minute and then captain Giuly added a second on the stroke of half time, in reply to Nice's 11th minute effort by Cedric Varrault.

Monaco's home defeat by Nantes last weekend saw them drop to third behind leaders Lyon with Paris Saint Germain moving up into second spot. Monaco had been 10 points ahead of the chasing pack at one point in January.

Monaco have now tucked into second spot just one point behind Lyon, who travel to Bordeaux on Sunday, and are now two points ahead of PSG who travel to Strasbourg on Saturday.

Monaco coach Didier Deschamps said afterwards: "It wasn't an easy match but it was a good victory for us and we are still in the hunt for the title. We were surprised at the start to go a goal down but then we came back to control the game."

And on the Champions League match at Chelsea, he simply added: "We don't have to win that match to go through."

In a sweeping move, Nice went ahead. Philippe Leonard got free on the left and made a perfect cross, which the Monaco defence failed to clear, into the path of Varrault who fired home at the far post.

Monaco pulled a goal back in a not unsimilar fashion. Edouard Cisse made a great run down the right hand side before pulling the ball back from the bi-line for Prso to sidefoot home with his right foot.

Giuly's goal showed wonderful touch. Hugo Ibarra launched the ball upfield and Giuly, at full speed running on to a ball coming over his head, timed his kick to perfection to volley home with his right foot.