Monaco are performing better over the past few weeks and one thing that has improved has been their defensive capabilities, and Guillermo Maripan put in a superb performance in the win over Amiens. He netted the killer second goal, volleying home from close range and he also had the second most touches of any player in the Ligue 1 round with 115 touches and defensive he won seven duels, four aerials, three interceptions and three clearances. An all-round, complete performance.
Nice moved up to 13th in the table after a 4-1 victory over Metz, with Cyprien scoring two goals. It was him that opened the scoring in spectacular fashion with a curled effort into the top corner from 25 yards, before doubling his tally from the penalty spot not long after with a delightful chip. He also made eight ball recoveries and won 5/6 duels and the majority of his tackles.
Ably assisted by Aleksandr Golovin, who has been one of the most impressive performance in the league this season. As well as his excellent delivery for Maripan's goal he also created another two big chances for team-mates which weren't converted. But the creative star didn't shirk his defensive duties, winning all three of his tackles and five of his seven duels. He's an all-round midfielder and his form has been concurrent with Monaco's upturn in fortunes.
Lyon have suffered defensively at times this season and have experimented with different partnerships, and Joachim Andersen's display in the comfortable win over Nimes. The defender found the net in the win where OL managed an astonishing 78% possession, albeit against nine men, and 72 of his 75 passes were completed as well as 10 recoveries and it's the kind of performance Andersen will need to take into the rest of OL's season.
While the first half of the Nice game belonged to Cyprien, the second period belonged to Lees-Melou who scored one and set up another. For his assist, he darts down the left wing before cutting inside on his right foot to whip a perfect cross to the back post for Ignatius Ganago to score. Then, he scored arguably the goal of the game when he collected possession outside the box before sending a gorgeous, curled strike beyond the keeper into the far corner.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Memphis Depay (8.6) scored twice as Lyon dominated their win away at Nimes on Friday.
ROUND TO FORGET
Nimes may have been down to nine men for most of the contest but Pablo Martinez (4.8) couldn't cope with Lyon's attack
