Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco edges Monaco past Metz

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco's second-half goal has given Monaco a slender 1-0 win over home side Metz in Ligue 1 this evening,

The result ensures that Leonardo Jardim's men maintain their push for European qualification.

The game's first real chance did not fall until the 17th minute as Metz's Florent Malouda broke down the wing to cross for Guirane N'Daw, but he could only send his headed attempt wide of the left post.

The hosts showed real fight in the opening half and Juan Manuel Falcon almost put his side ahead, only for Danijel Subasic to pull off a smart stop at his bottom-left corner.

Monaco soon sprang to life after that opportunity, as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco played an impressive through ball to Anthony Martial, who sent his shot wide of the target without troubling Anthony Mfa Mezui.

Despite not being able to pick open the Monaco defence, Metz troubled again when Cheick Doukoure had a go from distance, with his shot forcing another good stop from Subasic down low.

The home team were wasteful early in the second period when Malouda sent Romain Metanire's cross straight into the grateful arms of the Monaco keeper from close range.

Monaco continued to appear rattled by balls into the box and Metz could have taken the lead on several occasions, had N'Daw been able to find the target from inside the penalty area.

The away side managed to ride out the pressure and found themselves with a winner when Ferreira-Carrasco fired in after being picked out by Lacina Traore with just over 10 minutes left to play.