Monaco 2 : 2 Caen - Moutinho snatches Monaco point
Posted Sunday, November 23, 2014 by PA
Monaco needed a 75th-minute equaliser from substitute Joao Moutinho to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to struggling Caen on Saturday.
The hosts went ahead after five minutes thanks to Emmanuel Imorou's own goal.
Bengali-Fode Koita equalised five minutes into the second half and an own goal from Geoffrey Kondogbia nine minutes later put Caen 2-1 up.
Monaco, who had dominated the first half, pressed for a leveller and finally found a way past inspired goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre when Moutinho finished from close range four minutes after coming on.
Monaco got off to a fine start as Dimitar Berbatov's powerful shot was turned into his own net by Imorou.
Vercoutre made a magnificent save from Bernardo Silva after he had burst clear of the defence and then kept out Valere Germain's near-post glancing header.
Germain and Berbatov both fired narrowly wide as the hosts continued to dominate, but Caen had a chance on the stroke of half-time.
Jeremy Toulalan surrendered possession and Herve Bazile's cross was headed just over by Florent Rapsentino.
Vercoutre again kept his side in the game early in the second half, saving from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Germain.
But Caen were level moments later when Koita crashed a shot into the top corner.
And the visitors were in front before the hour mark, Jean-Jacques Pierre heading a corner back across goal where Kondogbia headed into his own net.
Monaco continued to create chances, and be frustrated by Vercoutre, who made a superb double save from Elderson Echiejile and then Berbatov.
Carrasco had Vercoutre beaten in the 72nd minute only to see his free-kick come back off the frame of the goal.
But Moutinho did level with 15 minutes to go, tapping home after Carrasco had burst into the area, beaten three men and laid the ball off.
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