PSG win Brest to maintain lead in Ligue One

Paris Saint-Germain FC has maintained their grip on the top spot of French Ligue 1 after a battling 2-1 over Stade Brestois 29.

The match which was played away at the Stade Francis-Le-Ble was the Parisians 10th win of the League campaign leaving them on 30 points from 30 matches.

The champions came into the match on the back of a shock 2 -1 loss to Dijon FCO last week.

Thomas Tuchel’s team were determined to avoid another upset defeat going into their fixture against Brest.

PSG who started the match in very strong fashion carving out early chances. However, they had to wait until the 39th minute of the game to take the lead. Argentine winger Angel Di Maria picked up a lovely through ball from teammate Julian Draxler before proceeding to beat his marker and chip the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to give the visitors a one-goal lead.

PSG continued to pile the pressure and could have scored a second goal early on In the second half. This time di Maria almost turned to a provider when his cross was headed just over the crossbar by PSG’s Uruguayan striker Edison Cavani.

The home side however launched a determined fightback and was rewarded in the 72nd minute when Brest substitute Samuel Grandsir drilled home a shot from the range within the PSG box to level the scores at 1- 1. This provoked a reaction from the champions who upped the ante as they went in search of another goal to restore their lead. The Homeside continued to stay resolute as they resisted wave after wave of attacks from the visitors.

The PSG coach continued to turn the screw by introducing strikers Mauro Icardi and Eric Choupo-Moting. This move paid off in the 85th minute the two substitutes combined together to score the winning second goal. The home defence failed to deal with a Choupo-Moting crossed ball that fell kindly into the path of Mauro Icardi who fired home emphatically to seal the points for PSG.

PSG remain at the Summit as the French League goes into recess until after the international break.

PSG are backed at 1.20 to defeat Lille in their fixture, while Lille are available at 14.10 to win the game.

Written by: Ayotunde Omolayole