Ajaccio GFCO 0 - 1 Monaco : Fabinho penalty seals narrow win for Monaco at Ajaccio

Posted Sunday, September 13, 2015 by PA

Fabinho's early penalty proved the difference as Monaco returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 with a 1-0 triumph at Gazelec Ajaccio.

The Brazil defender converted from the spot in the 16th minute after David Ducourtioux was penalised for a handball in the box.

Monaco might feel lucky to have emerged with all three points after the newly-promoted hosts, still looking for their first victory of the season, caused them numerous problems.

But the result at least means Leonardo Jardim's men have bounced back from the 3-0 home loss to Paris St Germain suffered before the international break.

Monaco now have eight points from five fixtures.

In a lively start to the visitors' first match since Anthony Martial's B£36million departure to Manchester United, Bernardo Silva's free-kick was well saved by home goalkeeper Clement Maury before Amos Youga replied by driving just wide.

Guido Carrillo squandered a decent opportunity for the away side, then Damjan Djokovic brought a fine stop out of Danijel Subasic.

There was little in the way of goal threat for the rest for the first half other than Maury keeping out an Ivan Cavaleiro shot.

Monaco then continued to struggle to fashion much after the break as their opponents applied increasing pressure in search of an equaliser.

Silva did bring a save out of Maury, but Jardim - who brought on Fabio Coentrao for his debut - may well have felt quite relieved by the end that his team had just managed to keep the home side at bay.