Soccer-Red-hot Falcao helps Monaco thrash Dijon as is Mbappe benched
PARIS, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Despite Monaco fans' concerns that French prodigy Kylian Mbappe might be leaving, they know they can still trust Radamel Falcao after the Colombian striker hit a treble in a 4-1 win at Dijon in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
France international Mbappe was left on the bench amid speculation that he wants to join rivals Paris St Germain but he was not needed as Monaco equalled the record of 14 consecutive wins in the French league.
Falcao scored twice before the break and once after to take his tally to four goals in two games while Jemerson netted another.
Monaco are second on six points behind Olympique Lyonnais on goal difference. Dijon, who reduced the arrears through Wesley Said just before halftime, are bottom of the standings after two defeats.
PSG will join them on six points later on Sunday if they beat En Avant Guingamp away in record singing Neymar's expected debut.
Monaco took the reins early on, with Falcao finding the back of the net in the third minute when he latched onto Thomas Lemar's corner.
Midway through the first half, defender Jemerson scored his second goal of the season with an overhead kick from Joao Moutinho's corner.
The Colombian added a third eight minutes from the break by curling a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Said reduced the arrears on the stroke of halftime with a low shot, only for Falcao to head home another one six minutes into the second half.
Earlier, Lille were beaten 3-0 at promoted RC Strasbourg, conceding all three goals after striker Nicolas de Preville took over as goalkeeper following the sending off of Mike Maignan in the 63rd minute.
Lille coach Marcelo Bielsa had already made his three substitutions and after De Preville had made a good save in the 72nd minute, there was nothing he could do to deny Jonas Martin and Jerermy Grimm or stop Dimitri Lienard's penalty.
It was Strasbourg's first win in Ligue 1 since their return this season after a nine-year absence. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Rex Gowar; Editing by XXXX)