Monaco remain top of Ligue 1 with a 2-1 victory over Saint-Etienne at home.

The hosts had to wait until the final few minutes to get the winner, moments after almost conceding themselves.

Monaco had started the game well but without ever really threatening in the final third.

Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez just failed to release Radamel Falcao early on, with their passes over hit, before an awful defensive mix-up allowed Rodriguez a one-on-one chance but the goalkeeper made a good block.

Five minutes later Monaco took the lead. Rodriguez was again involved, playing Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco through. The young Belgian took one touch before slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Romain Hamouma almost got his side back on level terms 10 minutes later, but his lobbed effort was tipped over the bar. Another chip, this time from Franck Tabanou, did beat the goalkeeper just before the break, but dropped wide of the post after a good Saint-Etienne move.

The visitors were level four minutes into the second half after a neat move released Hamouma in the middle to fire past Danijel Subasic.

Saint-Etienne continued to push forward after that but Monaco held firm and eventually began to turn the game back into their favour.

It was actually the visitors who came closest to scoring a second goal with five minutes to go. Max Gradel raced clear one-on-one but was denied by Subasic.

They were made to pay for that miss as Monaco almost immediately struck the winner. Rodriguez was at the heart of it again, putting in an excellent delivery that allowed substitute Lucas Ocampos to fire home.