Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates his goal against Saint Etienne in their French Ligue 1 clash at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Sunday. (AFP)
AFP/Paris
Paris Saint-Germain, fresh from progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals, capped a profitable week with a 2-0 win over Saint Etienne on Sunday.
The Ligue 1 leaders’ closest rivals Monaco had earlier cut the gap to five points after a controversial 3-2 win over Lyon in a game where the referee subsequently admitted to mistakes on all three of Monaco’s goals.
But PSG regained their eight-point cushion on Claudio Ranieri’s side with superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic putting the game to bed with two first half goals.
This latest stepping stone on what is becoming a relentless march to the French title extended PSG’s unbeaten league run to 13 matches.
Coach Laurent Blanc brought back several players rested in midweek for the win against Bayer Leverkusen, including former St Etienne captain Blaise Matuidi.
St Etienne have developed a reputation as a bogey team for the French capital side but not on this occasion. Ibrahimovic had PSG deservedly in front in the 14th minute, the Swedish striker rolling the ball in although St Etienne rounded on the referee claiming Matuidi had been offside.
The St Etienne goal continued to be the centre of attention as the hosts dominated, with Ibrahimovic doubling up four minutes from the break, prodding home Edinson Cavani’s cross from the left having started the sweet move.
St Etienne emerged revitalised after the interval, Benjamin Corgnet thumping the ball into the side netting after Yohan Mollo’s effort was blocked, then substitute Melvut Erding forcing PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu into producing a deft save.
PSG, who lost Yohan Cabaye to injury, the former Newcastle midfielder replaced by Marco Verrati, eventually managed to reassert themselves to hold out for the win and move closer to sealing the championship.
Montpellier held Bordeaux to a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s other game.
