Promoted Strasbourg stun PSG, Monaco back on winning track in Ligue 1

PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Newly-promoted sides Strasbourg won over Paris Saint-Germain 2-1, giving the first defeat in seven months to the Ligue 1 bellwether.

The defending champions Monaco shrugged off recent lackluster performance with a 1-0 home win against Angers on Saturday.

PSG's last defeat dated back to April 30, when they lost at Nice 3-1 in the league.

Underdog Strasbourg got off to a good start, as Nuno Da Costa was left unmarked to head a free-kick from Dimitri Lienard in the 13th minute.

Three minutes before the half time whistle, Kylian Mabappe who took Edinson Cavani's position as a central forward helped Paris score the equalizer.

Midfielder Javier Pastore was close to move PSG ahead later, but his shot denied by the post-bar. PSG missed out several chances for an advantage early in the second half, but the lowly-ranked hosts got their answer.

In the 65th minute, Stephane cut into the box and finished giving Strasbourg lead after receiving Da Costa's pass. The 2-1 score was kept to the end.

PSG still sat atop the table, but their advantage over the second-ranked sides has been cut from ten points to nine. Marseille could further reduce PSG's lead to seven points if they beat Montpellier on Sunday. Strasbourg were temporarily outside the relegation zone as they were ranked 16th.

Monaco lost their last two league outings, but they heated up well into the match against Angers. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao contributed the only goal of the match to Monaco in the second minute, helping his team move up to the second place on the standings.

Nice, also last season's top three finishers, were four points clear of the relegation zone on the 12th position after beating Metz 3-1 at home.

Nice forward Alassane Plea found the net in the 27th minute, but Nolan Roux quickly restored parity for Metz.

Nice regained their upper hand into the second half, as Italian striker Mario Balotelli netted his eighth league goal this season, and Allan Saint-Maximin's goal in the 71st minute secured the victory for Nice.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Lille edged Toulouse 1-0, Rennes beat Amiens 2-0, and Troyes lost to Guingamp 1-0. Enditem