Monaco progress checked by Montpellier
Friday, January 10, 2014
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AS Monaco FC failed to haul themselves level with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain as M'Baye Niang prised a 1-1 draw for struggling Montpellier Hérault SC.
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AS Monaco FC missed the chance to move level with leaders Paris Saint-Germain as they were held by Ligue 1 draw specialists Montpellier Hérault SC.
Eager to bounce back from their surprise 2-1 reverse at home to Valenciennes FC in their final league game of 2013, Claudio Ranieri's men hit the front through Layvin Kurzawa (52) but the visitors earned a point for the 12th time in 20 matches this term through M'Baye Niang (68).
The home side impressed in the first half and should have taken the lead when Rémy Cabella went through on goalkeeper Danijel Subašić only to pass up the chance. Monaco made them pay after the restart when James Rodríguez's free-kick was nodded over Geoffrey Jourdren by Kurzawa.
Cabella made amends when he drew a foul from Éric Abidal and Niang, on his league debut for Montpellier following his loan switch from AC Milan, scored at the second attempt after his penalty was parried by Subašić.
