AS Monaco have been beaten at home for the first time this season, losing 2-1 to Valenciennes in Ligue 1.
Both sides had chances in the opening couple of minutes, but it was Emmanuel Riviere forced the first save of the match, heading straight at Nicolas Penneteau in the Valenciennes goal.
The hosts continued to create the better of the chances, but it was the visitors who went ahead just before the half-hour mark when Eric Abidal turned the ball into his own net while trying to defend against an Arthur Masuaku cross.
Claudio Ranieri's side thought that they had equalised just four minutes later after Layvin Kurzawa tapped in a rebound from a Penneteau save, but the assistant referee ruled it out for offside.
Joao Moutinho came close to leveling the score at the start of the second half, beating Penneteau with a well-struck free kick, but the finish was just wide.
Despite the hosts' bright spell after the restart, Valenciennes were able to double their lead less than 15 minutes into the second period, as David Ducourtioux caught out Monaco on the counter-attack before slotting the ball past Danijel Subasic.
Radamel Falcao had a chance to get the home side back into contention late on when Monaco were awarded a penalty, but the Colombian's effort was saved by Penneteau.
However, the hosts continued to press and finally got the better of the Valenciennes defence two minutes later when James Rodriguez was left unmarked in the box, giving him an easy header to provide Monaco with some late hope.
Rodriguez found the target again two minutes from full time, but his sweeping effort was ruled out for offside, costing the hosts their unbeaten home record in the French top flight this season.
Sian Cowper
