A first Ligue 1 goal for Elderson Echiejile has given Monaco a 1-0 half-time lead over Reims this evening.
The Nigerian opened his account for the club which he joined in the summer, following a successful loan spell, 20 minutes into a half of few chances at Stade Louis II.
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Anthony Martial is leading the Monaco line in the absence of the injured Dimitar Berbatov and sliced a left-footed shot over the crossbar early on.
Reims threatened once before the opening goal as Mohamed Fofana headed wide at the far post.
Bernardo Silva, preferred to dropped £30m signing Joao Moutinho in midfield, provided Echiejile with Monaco's breakthrough as he released the overlapping full-back to squeeze home from a tight angle.
The game went through a quiet spell before the hosts pushed for a second in the final minutes of the half, but Martial was again high with an effort from inside the box, while Geoffrey Kondogbia had a shot blocked.
Joe Fish
