Monaco's Portuguese duo Bernard Silva and Joao Moutinho set up a 4-1 hammering of Toulouse on Sunday that took their team five points clear of their closest pursuers for Ligue 1's third and final Champions League spot.

Silva scored a brilliant goal in the first half and Moutinho struck in the second as Monaco surged ahead of Olympic Marseille in the league race, led by Lyon and Paris Saint Germain.

Monaco grabbed an early lead with a fine piece of trickery from 20-year-old Silva, who took a quick corner and exchanged a one-two before running to the edge of the box to fire home in the ninth minute.

Toulouse deservedly equalised thanks to a flying break finished in style by Danish striker Martin Braithwaite on the 26th minute.

Monaco's 19-year-old striker Anthony Martial converted from the penalty spot with the last kick of the first half after he had been brought down in the box. A neat header on the six-yard line from in form Moutinho made it 3-1 just before the hour.

Both sides had a man sent off in the 79th when a shoving match got out of hand and the referee gave straight reds to Monaco's Nabil Dirar and Toulouse's Jean Armel Kana-Biyik.

Moutinho struck again with a late killer through ball, which set up a fourth goal from Valere Germain in time added on.

Marseille had looked the best for a Champions League place, having led Ligue 1 at Christmas. But a classy Monaco run has seen a 15 point turnaround between the two clubs. Monaco are now on 65, with Marseille and Saint Etienne on 60.

Monaco had a great run in the Champions League this season only getting knocked-out 1-0 on aggregate in a close run affair with Juventus.

Third place in France offers a place in the third qualifying round for next season and all the aces now seem to be firmly in Monaco's hands.