Kean strikes as PSG edge past Nice, Montpellier stun Lyon
PARIS: Moise Kean’s goal gave Paris Saint-germain a 2-1 win over Nice on Saturday as they shrugged off the absence of Neymar to provisionally go back to the top of Ligue 1, while title rivals Lyon were beaten at home by Montpellier.
Kean struck in the 76th minute for his 10th Ligue 1 goal since joining PSG on loan from Everton, handing Mauricio Pochetino’s side the points ater Julian Draxler’s opener had been cancelled out by Rony Lopes at a freezing Parc des Princes.
It was a morale-boosting result for PSG, three days before they face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, and it allowed them to go top of the table on goal difference from Lille, who play Brest at home on Sunday.
PSG also benefited from a slip-up by Lyon, who are two points off the pace in third ater a shock 2-1 home defeat at the hands of a mid-table Montpellier side.
PSG are expected to be without Neymar for at least the next three weeks ater the world’s most expensive player came off with a groin injury in a midweek French Cup win at second-tier Caen, a huge blow ahead of the trip to Barcelona.
Angel di Maria will also be out for that game, and the Argentine watched the visit of Nice from the stands next to Marco Verrati, another key player on the injury list just now. PSG were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 in each of Neymar’s first two seasons with the club, defeats against Real Madrid and Manchester United both coming ater the Brazilian suffered an untimely injury.
Lyon came into the weekend looking for their sixth straight win, and had lost just once in 22 games since losing away in Montpellier in September.
Teji Savanier headed the visitors in front, but Lucas Paqueta levelled for Lyon just before half-time, pouncing to score from close range ater Houssem Aouar’s header had been saved.
Nevertheless Montpellier grabbed what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes, as teenager Elye Wahi was let with an easy finish ater goalkeeper Anthonylopesfailedtoproperlydealwithsavanier’s wicked free-kick.
Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice including an injury-time equaliser as Monaco’s seven-game winning run ended Sunday following a 2-2 draw against a resurgent Lorient.
Nigerian forward Terem Moffi notched both goals for Lorient as they became the first team to take a point off Monaco in the new year, slowing the belated title push being made by Niko Kovac’s side.