Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a 2-0 home win over Auxerre on Saturday, though injuries to key players added to their concerns.
Midfielder Vitinha, who set up the opening goal, limped off late in the first half, while Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was forced off at halftime with a suspected thigh injury. PSG are already without captain Marquinhos, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, forward Désiré Doué and midfielder João Neves. The Parisians face Barcelona away in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Both of PSG’s goals came from defenders. Ukraine’s Illia Zabarnyi opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, netting his first goal since joining from Bournemouth in the summer. Two minutes later, Vitinha was substituted. Lucas Beraldo doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a header from Senny Mayulu’s cross.
The victory lifted PSG to 15 points from six matches, three clear of Marseille, Monaco, Lyon and Strasbourg, who are all level on 12 points and separated by goal difference. Lyon can join PSG on top if they beat Lille on Sunday.
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Monaco stumble at Lorient
Earlier in the day, Monaco missed the chance to keep pace with PSG, falling to a 3-1 defeat at Lorient. It was coach Adi Hütter’s second loss of the season as defensive frailties again proved costly. Monaco have conceded 10 goals in six league games and also suffered a 4-1 thrashing by Club Bruges in the Champions League.
Captain Thilo Kehrer was sent off in the 38th minute for a second yellow card, and Lorient capitalized moments later through Mohamed Bamba. Pablo Pagis, son of former Ligue 1 striker Mickaël Pagis, added two more for the hosts in the second half.
Substitute Ansu Fati scored a late penalty for Monaco, but it was little consolation. Lorient’s second win of the season lifted them to midtable.
Toulouse hold Nantes
In Saturday’s other fixture, Toulouse came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at home with struggling Nantes. Mayckel Lahdo and Louis Leroux netted for Nantes, while Yann Gboho and Aron Dönnum replied for the hosts.
Source: Agency