Teddy Teuma (right) in action for Reims against Monaco. Photo: AFP
Malta international midfielder Teddy Teuma was on the scoresheet for this club Reims but was still not enough for the French Ligue 1 side who suffered a 3-1 defeat to Monaco on Saturday.
Goals from Ismail Jakobs, Folarin Balogun and Wissam Ben Yedder propelled Monaco to victory that kept them at the top of Ligue 1 ahead of Cote d’Azur rivals Nice.
Ismail Jakobs steered Monaco in front just before half-time and Balogun doubled the lead early with a deflected shot in the second half, refusing to celebrate his goal against the club he played for last season.
Ben Yedder headed in a third minutes later for his 150th goal in the French top flight.
Teddy Teuma pulled one back from the penalty spot for hosts Reims, who had come into the weekend just a point back of Monaco after a solid start under coach Will Still in his first full season.
Despite the defeat, Teuma produced a solid display for Reims at the heart of midfield and augurs well for the Malta national team ahead of this week’s tough Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy in Bari.
Hicham Boudaoui struck the only goal as Nice won 1-0 at Metz earlier in the day to keep their unbeaten start intact.
The Algeria international turned in a cross at the far post early in the first half to secure the victory for Francesco Farioli’s side, ensuring Nice remain a point adrift of Monaco.
Champions Paris Saint-Germain, in fifth, visit Rennes on Sunday after last year’s runners-up Lens host Lille in a derby between the bitter northern rivals.
