Ten-man PSG survive Chelsea's affiliate club, return to Ligue 1 summit

We can often hear stories about Paris Saint-Germain's favoured position in the eyes of the Ligue 1 referees.

Perhaps it is true on some occasions, but last night in Strasbourg, it could not be further from the truth.

The Saints conceded a penalty in the 20th minute, which the terrific Matvey Safonov stopped, and played with a man down since the 75th minute after Achraf Hakimi's dismissal.

Still, they won 2-1, scoring the winner over Nuno Mendes six minutes after the Moroccan's red card!

Two minutes after Joaquin Panichelli's missed spot kick, PSG took the lead over Senny Mayulu, while the home crew bounced back thanks to Guela Doue five minutes later.

No one can deny that Strasbourg had a fantastic chance to stun the giants, especially during the final quarter of an hour, but the capital crew showed class, and why they are the reigning European champions.

The opening half of the duel at the Stade de la Meinau brought two goals and one wasted penalty, but also about 35 minutes of "snoozefest", as all the notable moments occurred between the 20th and 30th minutes.

It all started with a penalty for the home team following Marquinhos' handball.

Ligue 1 second leading scorer, Joaquin Panichelli, stepped up, but Matvey Safonov superbly stopped his effort, saving the fifth consecutive penalty kick he faced?!

Two minutes later, the punishment came, embodied in Senny Mayulu.

Strasbourg captain and Chelsea loanee, Mamadou Sarr, poorly cleared the ball from his box, as it deflected off Bradley Barcola and ended up in front of Mayulu, who took no prisoners.

Still, the Saints' opener did not dishearten Strasbourg, as they managed to bounce back just five minutes later after an excellent counterattack, Ben Chilwell's terrific cross, and Guela Doue's ruthless finish.

Yet, as if Desire's older brother's goal closed the door to first-half excitement, the remaining period before the break was rather forgettable.

At the break, Luis Enrique subbed on the 20-year-old forward for Ibrahim Mbaye, so the duels between the two brothers on the flank became regular in the second 45 minutes.

Despite this change, Strasbourg held out pretty well, lurking opportunities for quick counters.

AFCON champion back in Chelsea?

Even though Desire occasionally tormented Guela, it was not enough for PSG to take the lead again, so their manager opted for his most lethal weapon, subbing on Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele for Mayulu at the hour mark.

Nevertheless, things went from bad to worse for the Parisians, as Achraf Hakimi was sent off a quarter of an hour before the end for a terrible tackle on Panichelli. PSG had to chase the winner with a man down!

Still, a team like Paris always knows how to find a way to escape from the edge of a failure, and last night, they demonstrated it again.

A quick counter, Warren Zaire-Emery's terrific cross, and Nuno Mendes fantastic header in the far post were enough to put the visitors back in the lead and secure them three vital points in a tricky away game.

This way, PSG maintained a two-point advantage over the second-placed Lens, while Strasbourg are currently seventh in Ligue 1.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 20

Friday

Lens - Le Havre 1-0 (1-0)

/Aguilar 45+1/

Saturday

Paris - Olympique Marseille 2-2 (0-1)

/Ikone 82, Kebbal 90+4 pen - Greenwood 18 pen , Aubameyang 53/

Lorient - Nantes 2-1 (1-0)

/Dieng 32, Kouassi 89 - Abline 74/

Monaco - Rennes 4-0 (1-0)

/Fati 33, Akliouche 50, Coulibaly 59, Muzanbo 89/

Sunday

Olympique Lyon - Lille 1-0 (1-0)

/Nartey 37/

Angers - Metz 1-0 (1-0)

/Mouton 25/

Nice - Brest 2-2 (0-2)

/Abdi 63, Wahi 71 - Del Castillo 15, Doumbia 23/

Toulouse - Auxerre 0-0

Strasbourg - PSG 1-2 (1-1)

/Doue G. 27 - Mayulu 22, Mendes 81/