Although the visitors posed a threat on the counter-attack, Monaco looked in control throughout the first half as they sought to make a winning start to the season.
Takumi Minamino was the first to threaten with a low drive that stung the fingertips of Mory Diaw, before the opener came midway through the half.
Aleksandr Golovin found space in the right channel, and it appeared that he was trying to pick out a teammate with a cross. Yet, Gautier Lloris’s desperate attempt to block only succeeded in diverting the ball into the far corner of the net.
The dominance continued through to the break, with only the post standing between the hosts and a two-goal lead when Maghnes Akliouche’s volley smashed against the woodwork in first-half stoppage time.
The pattern continued after the break, and Monaco doubled their lead on the hour mark. Lamine Camara’s dangerous inswinging corner was glanced towards goal by Eric Dier, but Diaw should’ve done more to keep the ball out after getting both hands on the ball before it trickled over the line.
Just as it looked like Le Havre’s hopes had faded, they struck back in the 67th minute when Rassoul Ndiaye cut in from the left flank before unleashing a fine, driven finish into the far corner.
The comeback was quickly extinguished, however, as Denis Zakaria’s fine run ended with him squaring the ball to Akliouche, who tapped in to make it 3-1 with 16 minutes to go.
The visitors responded with a triple change as they attempted to force their way back into the game, but ultimately, Adi Hütter’s side remained in control and held on to claim all three points. Having escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, Le Havre will hope to bounce back next week, whilst Monaco look well-placed to challenge for a top-three finish for the third consecutive year.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lamine Camara (Monaco)
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