PSG beat Toulouse to go top in Ligue 1
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain went top of the Ligue 1 table for the first time this season on Saturday as teenage midfielder Adrien Rabiot scored twice in a 3-1 win against Toulouse.
Rabiot struck in each half at the Parc des Princes and Thiago Silva added the third goal after Wissam Ben Yedder had pulled one back for the visitors.
The result allowed Laurent Blanc’s side to climb from third place above both Marseille and Lyon into top spot as they extended their unbeaten run to six league games and 11 matches in all competitions.
PSG are a point clear of Lyon, although OL need just a draw at home to Nantes on Sunday to go top again, while Marseille can move level on points with the capital club if they win at SaintEtienne.
“There have been three or four occasions when we had the chance to go top and didn’t take it. Maybe it’s a sign,” said Blanc.
“It is only provisional but maybe there has been a collective understanding that we can no longer afford to drop any points.
“It is always positive to be top and 52 points after 26 matches is an average of two per match. At that rhythm we will not be far away from the title.
“Despite some imperfections in our game, struggling to negotiate some home matches and the loss of points before and after Champions League games, we are still there and it is very encouraging.”
Paris had been boosted by their display in drawing 1-1 with Chelsea in their Champions League last16 first leg on Tuesday, although Blanc’s side were missing a host of regulars due to injury and suspension against Toulouse.
The injured Lucas, Thiago Motta, Yohan Cabaye and Serge Aurier were joined on the sidelines by the banned Marco Verratti and David Luiz.
However, Javier Pastore made his first start since the end of January after injury and Rabiot also came into the line-up.
And it was the 19-year-old, who had a spell on loan at Toulouse two years ago, who brought the game to life after a quiet start with the opening goal in the 27th minute.
Pastore’s low ball from the right was laid off by Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Rabiot, who dispatched a beautifully controlled first-time shot from the edge of the box into the left corner of the net.
Silva headed wide when unmarked as Paris missed a great chance to extend their lead soon after, before Salvatore Sirigu was called into action at the other end to keep out an Abel Aguilar header from Etienne Didot’s cross.
The hosts extended their lead just three minutes after the restart as Rabiot stabbed in from close range after superb work by Pastore on the right.
On a bitterly cold afternoon, Toulouse reduced the deficit soon after when Ben Yedder converted after Aleksandar Pesic headed on a free-kick. - AFP