Monaco held as Toulouse stay in top four

  Toulouse FC 1-1 AS Monaco 

THE MATCH
While Monaco had failed to win in three since their opening-day victory against FC Nantes, Toulouse had won three straight since losing 4-0 at Olympique de Marseille in Week 1.

Unsurprisingly, the hosts seized the initiative. Max-Alain Gradel’s forceful run down the left gave him the space to cross for Matthieu Dossevi, whose first-time shot was parried by Diego Benaglio (8′).

With Radamel Falcao not in their side, Monaco lacked a cutting edge and failed to muster a single shot on target before the break with young duo Moussa Sylla and Sofiane Diop as well as Belgium international debutant Nacer Chadli having little impact.

Clearly urged to greater efforts by coach Leonardo Jardim during half-time, Monaco stepped up, even if Chadli’s shot that found a post was a mishit cross (56′).

Tielemans stunner

There was nothing fortuitous about the opening goal produced by his international teammate, Youri Tielemans, just 60 seconds later. Stepping forward into space, the former Anderlecht midfielder smashed a shot in off the crossbar to put Monaco ahead (57′) with his second goal of the season.

Toulouse struggled to respond, but after Jimmy Durmaz flashed a shot wide (78′), Alain Casanova’s men drew level.

John Bostock had been trying to find Gradel, but his pass was blocked by Kamil Glik. Aaron Leya Iseka was too fast for the Poland international, nipping the ball away from him before firing beyond Benaglio for his second strike of the campaign (57′) to earn the hosts a point.

THE PLAYER: Aaron Leya Iseka
He did not have much opportunity to shine at Olympique de Marseille during his first spell in France, but the young Belgian has already made quite an impact in just five league outings since arriving at Toulouse this summer. Aged just 20, there is more to come.

THE STAT: 11
Eleven of the last 16 meetings between Toulouse and Monaco in the south west have ended in a draw.

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