A strike from Daniel Congre and an own goal from Guido Carrillo have put Montpellier HSC 2-0 ahead at half time in their Ligue 1 clash with AS Monaco.
The visitors started the brighter at the Stade de la Mosson, with a strike from Nabil Dirar going close in the first minute.
Montpellier striker Kevin Berigaud forced a save from Danijel Subasic nine minutes later, before the Croatian goalkeeper was called into action again soon after to block Mathieu Deplagne's cross.
Ivan Cavaleiro broke into space to set up Dirar for another attempt at goal, but the midfielder's effort was saved by Jonathan Ligali.
Montpellier opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Ryad Boudebouz's corner was headed at goal by Vitorino Hilton, Subasic could only parry, and Congre was quickest to react to the loose ball to fire home.
Leonardo Jardim's side continued to push forward and doubled their lead just before the interval, when Carrillo put a Boudebouz cross through his own net while under pressure from Bryan Dabo.
Steven Toplis
