AS Monaco scored twice in each half to inflict our Under-21s' second defeat in this season's Premier League International Cup at Stevenage on Friday night.
Lucas Michal's opener was quickly added to by Romaric Etonde's close-range finish after a good save from goalkeeper Aaron Maguire as the visitors hit us with a quickfire double just beyond the half-hour mark to take command of the scoreline.
And while Tyrese Hall and Damola Ajayi tested Yann Lienard at the other end, two more strikes from Joan Tincres and Etonde - both of whom ran from deep to beat the offside trap - in the second period made for an unflattering 4-0 final scoreline.
Managed by former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore, Monaco forced early openings for Etonde, Tincres and Aladji Bamba, but some near misses and good stops from Maguire kept them out until the 32nd minute when Max McKnight - operating in central midfield in the absence of captain Callum Olusesi - had his pocket picked while looking for a route out of trouble and Etonde set up Michal to lash home from the right angle.
Two minutes later, we had it all to do as Maguire made an initial good low save from a free-kick, only for Etonde to tuck home at the back post for 2-0.
We struggled to create too much in the forward areas but gave a warning to Monaco in the 54th minute when Hall's low drive was well saved by Lienard. However, after another good stop from Maguire to deny Michal, the visitors further extended their lead midway through the second half when Tincres ran onto a long ball forward from deep and deftly clipped it over the advancing Maguire.
Ajayi's shot was saved as we looked for a route back into the game, but when Etonde beat the offside trap and held off the retreating Dante Cassanova to fire home from the left angle 13 minutes from time, it rounded off a scoreline that seemed harsh on our players after their efforts. It could have been five, but for a superb double goalline block from defender Maeson King, while first-year Under-18s players Tye Hall and Samal Bangura were introduced off the bench for their Under-21s debuts as a demanding week for the squad continued.
Goals: AS Monaco - Michal 32, Etonde 34, 77, Tincres 67.
Yellow cards: Spurs - Ajayi 62, Akhamrich 82, Cassanova 90; AS Monaco - Bery 23, Tincres 75, Couto 80.
Referee: Richard Eley.
Venue: Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.
Weather: Light rain, fresh breeze, eight degrees.
Attendance: 296.