Fabregas winner helps struggling Monaco beat Toulouse 1-0

By: Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press Posted: 3:38 PM CST Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019

PARIS - Cesc Fabregas struck the winner for struggling Monaco in a much-needed 2-1 home win against Toulouse in the French league on Saturday.

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PARIS - Cesc Fabregas struck the winner for struggling Monaco in a much-needed 2-1 home win against Toulouse in the French league on Saturday.

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This article was published 02/02/2019 (2788 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS – Cesc Fabregas struck the winner for struggling Monaco in a much-needed 2-1 home win against Toulouse in the French league on Saturday.

The former Chelsea, Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area following good work down the left from Gelson Martins, and thumped the ball in just under the crossbar midway through the second half.

Fabregas was signed by his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry, but Henry was sacked as coach last week to pave the way for Leonardo Jardim’s return after he was replaced in October by Henry.

Jardim was about to make a substitution when Fabregas scored, and the Portuguese coach pumped his fists in delight. With good reason, too, since the win moved eight-time French champion and former Champions League finalist Monaco up one place into 18th and the promotion-relegation spot.

Russia midfielder Aleksandr Golovin put Monaco ahead in the 16th minute, only for towering Toulouse centre half Christopher Jullien to equalize four minutes later.

Amiens dropped down to 19th on goal difference after losing at Rennes 1-0. Defender Mehdi Zeffane grabbed a late winner with a neat flick after being set up by striker M’Baye Niang’s neat footwork down the left.

Also, striker Stephane Bahoken netted his seventh league goal as Angers beat Dijon 1-0 at home.

Later Saturday, striker Mario Balotelli was making his full debut for Marseille at Reims.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Unbeaten league leader Paris Saint-Germain faces one of its toughest tests of the season at Lyon, which is challenging Lille for second place and automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Lyon can ill afford to lose, because defeat would leave it trailing second-placed Lille by six points.

Also, Nimes faces southern rival Montpellier.

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