PSG are not feeling quite so champion in Guingamp defeat
French champions PSG plunged further into crisis as they slumped to their fourth Ligue 1 defeat of the season in their 2-1 loss at Guingamp.
Second-half goals from Yannis Sal ibur and Ni l l de Pauw stunned Unai Emery’s team and despite an 80th-minute Edinson Cavani effort, the reigning champions were left four points adrift of the summit.
Vi c t o r y f o r A nt oi ne Koumbare’s team, only their second in the previous seven, sees them move up to fourth – just seven points behind third-placed PSG.
Emery’s side started on the front foot as only a well-timed intervention from Guingamp defender Christopher Kerbrat prevented the in-form Cavani from adding to his season tally of 22.
Just before the half hour, Emery’s team wasted a glorious chance after a perfectly weighted Angel Di Maria pass picked out Cavani but the Uruguayan’s volley ended up on the wrong side of the upright.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock just after the restart.
Di Maria saw his effort bri l l iant ly kept out by Karl-Johan Johnsson.
And Guingamp nearly took full advantage of that miss but Moustapha Diallo was unable to steer a header on target from Yannis Salibur’s corner.
But midway through the second half, Guingamp stunned their visitors when Lucas Deaux picked out Salibur to steer a finish beyond Alphonse Areola.
They doubled their advantage soon after with Salibur and Jimmy Briand combining well to pick out De Pauw who slotted beyond Areola.
PSG hit back immediately with Layvin Kurzawa’s pass falling at the feet of Cavani who finished with aplomb.
Cavani cracked a looping header against the bar before Jean-Kevin Augustin had a late effort cleared off the line.
Meanwhile, in La Liga Saul Niguez’s second-half strike gave Atletico Madrid a 1- 0 win at home to Las Palmas in their first victory in four games.
Saul lashed a loose ball into the top corner from outside the box to break the deadlock in the 59th minute and bring welcome relief to Atletico after a week in which they all but dropped out the title race.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said: “We might have been inconsistent in the league but Atletico fans should feel proud of their team this year.”