Folarin Balogun scored his third goal for Monaco on Saturday against former loan side Stade de Reims, sending his new team top of Ligue 1.

Former Arsenal academy striker Folarin Balogun played in a match between his new club AS Monaco and last season’s loan club Stade de Reims on Saturday, and it was almost inevitable he’d get on the scoresheet.

With Monaco 1-0 up at the end of the first half, Balogun helped to make it a fast start to the second, doubling their lead.

Just moments after kick-off, the ex-Arsenal man picked up the ball on the right-hand side, getting it out of his feet before firing a shot across the goalkeeper.

Balogun’s effort took a deflection, and Reims shot-stopper Yehvann Diouf couldn’t adjust in time to keep it out.

Folarin Balogun refused to celebrate after scoring against his former club Reims 👏 pic.twitter.com/JLlwMVXg35

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 7, 2023

Balogun refused to celebrate the goal, out of respect for his former club, and Monaco made it a 3-0 lead just a few minutes later.

Though Reims pulled one goal back from the penalty spot in the 57th minute, it wasn’t enough to change the result.

Monaco picked up the three points, going one point clear at the top of the table ahead of OGC Nice.

Paris Saint-Germain sit down in fifth, but they have a game in hand and could cut the gap to Monaco to just two points with a win.

Brest – three points behind Monaco – also have a game in hand, but a far inferior goal difference.

Balogun has scored three goals in five games for Monaco so far, despite missing two penalties in their defeat to OGC Nice last month.

It’s been a solid start for Monaco’s summer signing, justifying their investment in him.

A special return for me, It was a difficult game against a top side! Sorry guys I didn’t want too 😢 pic.twitter.com/8gstQAcarX

— Balogun (@balogun) October 8, 2023