Monaco ended a run of three successive Ligue 1 defeats by Lille as they recovered from a goal down to draw 1-1 with the visitors, who had Tanguy Nianzou sent off.

The result left both teams one point clear at the top of the table, although Monaco have played one match more than their rivals. It also extended a closely matched contest between sides who began the game with identical records of four wins, two draws and one defeat.

There was little to separate them during a relatively even opening, with the match being played at a fast pace but neither side creating much quality in the final third.

That changed midway through the first half when Lille produced a clinical attack. Soriba Diaoune released Ethan Mbappe with a perfectly weighted through ball, and Mbappe’s first-time finish gave Lukas Hradecky no chance.

Lille’s goal came after Mbappe had scored twice in their midweek UEFA Champions League defeat by Galatasaray, and the travelling supporters celebrated enthusiastically despite their small number.

Monaco struggled to respond before half-time and went into the interval 1-0 behind without registering a shot on target against Berke Ozer.

The hosts improved after the restart and came close to equalising through Aleksandr Golovin. The Russian’s powerful free-kick forced Ozer into a diving save, while Alexsandro produced an excellent last-gasp tackle to deny Golovin after he had run through on goal and appeared ready to shoot.

Monaco continued to build pressure and should have levelled with 25 minutes remaining. Paris Brunner had been lively throughout the match but had failed to produce a decisive finish, and that lack of end product was evident when he turned the ball over the crossbar from six yards.

Brunner was involved again moments later, but this time he was the victim of a reckless challenge by Tanguy Nianzou. The tackle resulted in Lille being reduced to 10 men.

From then on, Monaco dominated possession and territory as they repeatedly pushed towards the visitors’ goal. Their persistence was rewarded in the 74th minute when Brunner got the slightest touch to Edan Diop’s cross, diverting it into the bottom corner.

Monaco remained camped in Lille’s half during the closing stages and pressed for a winning goal, but the visitors held on to secure a point.

The draw brought Monaco’s three-match losing streak against Lille in Ligue 1 to an end and ensured both teams moved one point clear at the summit.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Jordan Teze (Monaco)