Monaco have 55 points, two ahead of Brest and with a match in hand, while Lille, who have also played a match less, are one point behind Brest in fourth after their 1-0 win over Strasbourg.

Monaco broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, when a poor clearance from Jonas Martin fell to Denis Zakaria, who took a touch to take him past the onrushing Martin and from the edge of the area curled his shot into the far top corner.

The visitors doubled their lead three minutes after the break, with Krepin Diatta’s cross from the left bundled home at the near post by Takumi Minamino.

Monaco had both Eliesse Ben Seghir and Wilfried Singo sent off in added time but it was too late for Brest to take advantage and they fell to their second consecutive defeat.

Lille overcame Strasbourg thanks to Jonathan David’s 12th minute goal, his sixth in six league matches, and they have a five point advantage over fifth-placed Nice. Paris Saint-Germain, who play Lyon later on Sunday, are top on 63 points.