Half-Time Report: Almamy Toure double puts AS Monaco ahead at half time

Almamy Toure's first-half brace has given AS Monaco a 2-1 lead over hosts Marseille at half time in their Ligue 1 encounter at the Stade Velodrome this evening.

Monaco might have gone ahead after just eight minutes, only for Toure to send his header wide of the target from close range.

Marseille responded instantly to the threat and they were able to snatch an early lead thanks to Romain Alessandrini, who made no mistake with an adroit finish into the bottom-left corner of the AS goal.

Monaco were not to be too downbeat, however, as they soon restored parity when Fabio Coentrao turned in a clever set piece that was sent home by Toure in the 18th minute.

The home side continued to threaten despite the equaliser and they were unlucky not to make it 2-1, given that Belgian frontman Michy Batshuayi saw his shot cannon back off a post after being picked out by Remy Cabella.

AS made the killer blow just before the break, though, as Toure returned to notch his second goal, after tucking in from Guido Carrillo's inventive pass six minutes before the interval.