AS Monaco have leapfrogged Lyon and Nice in the Ligue 1 table after a hard-fought win over Nantes at the Stade Louis II.

After a cagey opening in Monte Carlo, it was Les Rouges et Blanc who had an early chance to score when Joao Moutinho took aim at goal, but was crowded out by Les Canaris' defence.

However, Nantes almost broke the deadlock themselves midway through the first half, after Leo Dubois teed up Jules Iloki, only for the midfielder's shot to drift inches wide of Danijel Subasic's goal.

Monaco then pressed for an opener, with Bernardo Silva and Guido Carrillo threatening in attack, but it was Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic who put the hosts ahead with a close-range finish.

Nantes responded well as Wilfried Moimbe brought a save out of Subasic before the interval and Yacine Bammou missed two chances after the restart.

Michel der Zakarian's men continued to press for an equaliser, with further opportunities for Kolbeinn Sighthorsson and Dubois going begging.

However, Nantes were unable to break down a resolute Monaco as Leonardo Jardim's team are one point ahead of Lyon after they lost at Nice on Friday.