Jovetic scores as 2nd-place Monaco wins 3-1 at Strasbourg

PARIS (AP) - Forward Stevan Jovetic continued his good scoring form as Monaco won 3-1 at Strasbourg on Friday to strengthen its grip on second place in the French league.

Jovetic has stepped up well for injured top scorer Radamel Falcao in the last few games and has seven goals in 14 league games overall. Falcao recovered from a left thigh injury to take his place on Monaco's bench, but coach Leonardo Jardim chose not to bring him on with Monaco in control at halftime.

Jovetic put the defending champions ahead in the fifth minute with a header from right back Djibril Sidibe's cross, but striker Stephane Bahoken was left unmarked to equalize for 15th-place Strasbourg in the 19th minute.

Two minutes later, attacking midfielder Rony Lopes put Monaco ahead again when he turned in Keita Balde's deflected cross to the back post for his ninth league goal this season.

Balde was involved again in the 41st when he set up Brazil midfielder Fabinho inside the penalty area for his sixth goal of the season.

Monaco is 11 points behind runaway league leader Paris Saint-Germain, which has a game in hand. Monaco is seven points ahead of third-place Marseille and 12 ahead of fourth-place Lyon in the chase for a top-three finish and a place in the Champions League next season.

PSG is at home against Metz on Saturday, with coach Unai Emery under pressure after elimination from the last 16 of the Champions League for the second consecutive season. PSG lost to Real Madrid 5-2 on aggregate.