PSG climb to second
Two penalties by Lucas Moura and a clever chip by Ezequiel Lavezzi helped champions Paris Saint Germain beat Bordeaux 3-0 in Ligue 1 on Saturday and put pressure on leaders Marseille.
Resurgent Marseille have 25 points ahead of their game on Sunday at Lyon, where they can clinch a club record 10th straight league win. PSG are second with 21 having played a game more.
With Brazilian international centre-back pair Thiago Silva and David Luiz holding firm, Paris always looked superior in that part of the pitch.
With Edinson Cavani suspended and Zlatan Ibrahimovic injured, PSG coach Laurent Blanc started with a makeshift front three of Javier Pastore, Lucas and speedy youngster Jean-Christophe Bahebeck.
Bordeaux had reason for early cheer on 27 minutes when Gregory van Der Wiel delivered a wild studs-up kick to Wahbi Khazri's heel with the ball gone and the referee right behind him.
He was sent off, but the numerical advantage would last a mere ten minutes as Andre Poko's was sent off for kicking Verratti.
PSG then went on the offensive and had numerous chances, with David Luiz striking the post, before Veratti was fouled in the box, leading to the first penalty. Moura duely converted and was then brought down in the box himself, converting again from the spot. Lavezzi, returning from injury, completed the 3-0 win with a brilliantly taken goal.
Comments