Kylien Mbappe stars for Monaco, PSG win to keep pace

Paris, March 20 (IANS) Monaco maintained their recent momentum with a 3-0 away win over Caen in Ligue 1 on Sunday to maintain a three-point lead over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who beat Olympique Lyon 2-1 at home.

Missing their top scorer Radamel Falcao due to a hip injury, French football league leaders Monaco were boosted by an excellent performance by promising youngster Kylian Mbappe, reports Xinhua news agency.

After earning his maiden call-up into the French national squad, the 18-year-old sensation finished with a brace and earned a penalty in the lopsided win on Sunday evening.

Mbappe broke the deadlock on 13 minutes, as he finished a one-two with fellow striker Valere Germain, went past two defenders and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.Caen defender Damien Da Silva fouled on Mbappe shortly after the interval, before Fabinho converted the penalty into a two-goal lead.

With nine minutes remaining, Mbappe scored his 12th league goal of the season with a header off Joao Moutinho's cross, before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd when he left the pitch.Mbappe, who has a similar style to retired French great Thierry Henry, has become the target of many big-name European clubs.

Meanwhile, PSG suffered an early setback as Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette scored his 23rd goal of the season with a header off a corner-kick after six minutes.Lyon got another chance three minutes later, but Mouctar Diakhaby's header was denied by PSG custodian Kevin Trapp on the goalline.

PSG scored twice during a six-minute span to turn the tables. PSG midfielder Javier Pastore produced defence splitting passes on both occassions, earning Adrien Rabiot and Julian Draxler a goal each.Also on Sunday, Dijon lost to Saint-Etienne 1-0.